KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT OF ANGANWADI WORKERS OF JAIPUR ZONE, RAJASTHAN

Background: Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) is India’s response to the challenge of meeting the holistic needs of children below six years of age, adolescent girls expectant and nursing mothers through the network of Anganwadis. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of Anganwadi Workers of Jaipur Zone (Rajasthan) India. Materials and methods: 8 AWCs were selected from each of the 5 Zones of Jaipur. So, total 40 AWCs were included in the present survey. Performance of each of the AWW from identified AWCs was assessed as per the ‘Form no. (1)’ of ICDS. Performance of various districts and various activities were analyzed and inferred in proportion and percentages. Results: 100% of AWWs of Jaipur zone was well aware about the care of pregnant women and lactating women except Kangaroo Method Care (KMC) which is known to only 10%. All the surveyed AWWs had knowledge about Infant feeding and family planning except the advantage of breast feeding which were know to 72.5%. Referral services about children, pregnant women and lactating mothers were known to 80% of surveyed AWWs. Conclusion: Knowledge of AWWs was excellent except Kangaroo Cara Method, advantage of breast feeding and Referral services.