International Journal of Research and Review Vol.7; Issue: 6; June 2020 Website: www.ijrrjournal.com Original Research Article E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237 International Journal of Research and Review (ijrrjournal.com) 162 Vol.7; Issue: 6; June 2020 Utilisation of Anganwadi Services among Pre-School Age Children in Rural Telangana: A Cross Sectional Study Harikrishna BN 1 , Kishore Y Jothula 2 , Nagaraj K 3 , Prasad VG 4 1 Dept of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 2 Dept of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana 3 Dept of Community Medicine, Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women, SVIMS University, Tirupati, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh 4 Dept of Community Medicine, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda District, Telangana Corresponding Author: Kishore Y Jothula ABSTRACT Background: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched in 1975 with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years, to lay the foundations for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child, to reduce mortality and morbidity, malnutrition and school drop-out by delivering a package of services. It has been found that there is a gap in expected and actual delivery of services and less than expected utilisation of services from beneficiaries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 women with a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire in order to assess utilisation of anganwadi services. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Results: Immunization (85.18%) was the most common Anganwadi service utilized by children followed by supplementary nutrition (83.4%), health check-ups (77.4%), Non formal pre- school Education (68%) and referral services (55.5%). Child didn’t like the taste of the food was the most common reason for not utilising supplementary nutrition. Conclusions: Apart from supplementary nutrition and immunisation, there is a need to sensitise and motivate beneficiaries to utilise the other services offered by anganwadi centre. Keywords: Anganwadi centre, Children, Supplementary nutrition, Immunisation INTRODUCTION The development of children is corresponding to the eventual fate of our nation, as they grow up to become residents of tomorrow. They are the foundation of a nation and their protection is basic for financial and political steadiness of the nation. The initial six years of a child’s life are the most vital as cognitive, social, emotional, physical, motor and psychological development happen at this stage. Deficiencies during this vulnerable period bring about hampering of development and growth retardation. In 2018 an estimated 5.3 million deaths occurred in the first 5 years, with almost half of these in the first month of life. Leading causes of death in children under-5 years are preterm birth complications, pneumonia, birth asphyxia, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea and malnutrition. 1 Nearly half of these deaths in new born are preventable or can be treated with simple, affordable intervention. Government of India has launched many health programs for children and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was the one, started in 1975 with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years, to lay the foundations for proper psychological,