Abstract

PIP: 25 out of 100 Anganwadis in Baroda city, India were studied to assess 4 components of the current growth monitoring program: reliable and accurate weighing of children, accurate recording of the weight, proper interpretation of the growth line, and appropriate allotment of advice to the mothers. Trained nutritionists visited 5 slum centers within 48 hours of the completion of the monthly weighing of the children. The AWW's in these centers were requested to reweigh 25 children. The nutritionists then weighed the children and compared the numbers to those recorded. 477 children (infant to 72 months) participated in the study. Nutritionists then tested the ability of AWW's to interpret growth charts. Accuracy of weighing and of placing the dots on the chart were highly reliable (error rate of weighing = 2%). All AWW's were able to interpret growth curves, except for a stationary weight (flat) growth curve. AWW's offered advice to mothers only after malnutrition caused obvious effects, e.g. if the child lost weight for 3-4 consecutive months. The AWW's examined in this study were amazingly competent, however they still need to be trained in early detection of growth faltering and interpretation of stationary growth curves so that they will be able to detect moderate cases of undernourishment.