IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 2 Ver. V (Feb. 2015), PP 58-61 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-14255861 www.iosrjournals.org 58 | Page An Assessment of the Integrated Child Development Services Programme in an Urban Area of Ludhiana, Punjab Nidhi Thomas 1 , Paramita Sengupta 2 , Anoop I Benjamin 2 1 Intern, Deptt of Community Medicine, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India 2 Professor, Deptt of Community Medicine, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India Abstract: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was launched in 1975, to provide holistic development of children through a package of services aimed at reduction of child malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. Anganwadi Centres(AWCs) functioning in about 20,000 population of an urban area of Ludhiana were studied, to assess facilities available and services provided to the beneficiaries under the Programme. The ICDS Programme in the study area was found to have several short-comings, with inadequate facilities and infrastructure. The AWCs lacked essential equipment, and growth monitoring of the children was non-existent. The coverage of the services and attendance in the AWCs was low for children and nil for pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls. Immunization records were absent, and provision of supplementary nutrition to the beneficiaries was inadequate. 71.9% of the under-5 years old present in the AWCs were malnourished. There exists a wide gap between policy and implementation of the ICDS Programme. Periodic assessment of the Programme by independent agencies to identify and correct the Programme weaknesses and obstacles, regular in-service refresher courses for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) to develop and reinforce their skills, and better co-ordination between the health sector and ICDS would go a long way to improve the functioning of the Programme. Keywords: Anganwadi Center, Integrated Child Development Services, Urban slum. I. Introduction India is home to the largest child population in the world. According to the 2011 census, India has around 164.5 million children below the age of 6 years, constituting 13.6% of the population. [1] Forty three percent children under 5 years of age in India are underweight. [2] The ICDS Scheme was launched by the Government of India in 1975, in response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity and mortality on the other hand. ICDS provides opportunities for holistic development of children and child bearing women from vulnerable backgrounds. Even after 35 years of implementation, the success of ICDS in tackling childhood and maternal problems remains a matter of concern. The present study proposes to assess the functioning of the ICDS Programme with regard to the services provided, in anganwadis of an urban area of Ludhiana. II. Methods 2.1 Design & Settings: Descriptive study, in an urban area of Ludhiana. 2.2 Participants & sampling: All the AWCs in the area in 2011, catering to about 20,000 population, were studied. Participants included the AWWs, and the beneficiaries attending the AWCs. 2.3 Measures and measurements: Each AWC was visited by the investigator and the Multi-purpose Health Worker (MPHW) of that area. Information was obtained from the AWWs in each AWC under study, and from the records maintained in the AWC, on a pre-designed questionnaire, after obtaining consent from the respondent AWW. The infrastructure of these AWCs was observed and recorded. The children present in the AWC at the time of the study were weighed on a Salter scale, and the nutritional status of the children assessed through weight-for-age according to the Growth Monitoring Chart used in the ICDS Programme. 2.4 Ethics: Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained before commencement of the study. Written informed consent was also obtained from the AWWs. 2.5 Statistical analysis: Data analysis included proportions, and Chi-square test was applied where appropriate to determine statistical significance.