The Anganwadi worker (AWW) is the community based voluntary frontline worker of the ICDS programme. Selected from the community, she assumes a pivotal role due to her close and continuous contact with the beneficiaries. Children grow and develop amazingly. Mothers with their children under five years of age, not only constitute a large proportion of the community but also a “vulnerable” or special risk group. The first five years of a child’s life are most crucial for the foundations for physical and mental development. Objective of this study was to study the profile of Anganwadi workers (AWWs). To assesses knowledge of AWWs & problems faced by them while working. Study design: cross sectional study. Methods:- Anganwadi centres were selected by convenient sampling technique. The functioning of AWWs was assessed by interviewing Anganwadi workers for their literacy status, years of experiences, their knowledge about the services rendered by them and problems faced by them. Result of the study was majority (53%) AWWs were in the age range of 20-30 years, whereas only (5%) were in the age range of > 50 years. The majority (45%) AWWs were educated up to secondary; while (34%) were educated up to higher secondary and only (3%) were educated up to primary class and post graduate. (29%) AWWs had maximum experience in the range of more than 15 years and the majority, (42%) had 5-10 years of experience. In the present study major problem was that other infrastructure related problems and inadequate supply of play material as their major problem, was reported by (55%) of the AWWs, (24%) had reported Inadequate water, electricity supply and drainage system, (10%) had problem of delay in receiving funds and necessary items, like kerosene oil, cooking items etc. (8%) had problem of inadequate honorarium, and only (3%) of AWWs had problem of record maintenance was unnecessary burden. (63%) of AWWs covered 100-500 population and (32%) of AWWs covered population range of 500-1000 population and (5%) AWWs covered more than 1000 population. JSY services to mothers was being provided by (76%) AWWs, and (26%) of AWWs reported that they provided prophylaxis against blindness and anaemia & (50%) also participate in DOTS programme by giving medicines. 100% AWCs had charts and poster and only 26.3% of AWCs had adequate play materials.
Keywords: AWW, AWC, ICDS, JSY, DOTS, ANC, PNC.
