Self Motivation Campaign

Background

According to NFHS-4, in Khandwa, 46.8% children under 5 years are under weight, 21.5% children under 5 years are wasted and 43.6% children under 5 years are stunted. As a consequence, deaths due to malnutrition have been prevalent in the region of Khandwa. Therefore, the objective of this campaign is to improve the nutritional status of 0-5 year old children and provide them with effective ICDS services.

Intervention

As part of the programme, 162 Anganwadi Centres, which are self motivated to reduce malnutrition, were identified. A software-based tracking system was devised to monitor children under 5 years of age who are malnourished. The software automatically tracks the grading of each child into categories for normal weight (green), under-weight (yellow) and severe under-weight (red). This enables proper action to improve the nutritional status of children.

With the help of the above described data, targeted interventions were made to improve nutrition intake of the children.

• Each child will get full services of ICDS - mainly supplementary nutrition - regularly two times in a day.
• Each severely under-weight child will additionally get one Extra Meal.
• Convergence with Health department has enabled 100% immunisation, supplementation of IFA tablets, Vitamin A syrup and Deworming.
• Convergence with Public Health Engineering Department has ensured safe drinking water facility at these centers.
• Effective monitoring mechanism under ICDS has been instituted to track periodic progress.

Impact

• Introduction of Self-Motivation model has reduced the number of malnourished children in 162 selected Anganwadi Centres by adopting a simple strategy to create synergy with other relevant departments for providing regular service and timely monitoring.
• Under Self-Motivation Campaign, percentage of children underweight have decreased by 17% and severe underweight children have decreased by 28%.
• In the district, percentage of children underweight have decreased by 2% and severe under-weight children have decreased by 7%.
• Child Tracking Software makes the analysis and comparison of each child at the district level effective and rectify any problem that occurs at the village level.

Source : Aspirational District for WEB