BACKGROUND: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme lay foundation for the development of nation’s
human resource by providing an integrated package of early childhood services. Services are provided through public
health facilities – supplementary nutrition, immunization, health checkup, referral services, non-formal education and
health education – to improve the nutrition and health status of children 0-6 years.
OBJECTIVES : 1) To assess the utilisation of ICDS among Children aged 6 months to 6 years in Tamil Nadu. 2) To assess the
nutritional status of Children aged 6 months to 6 years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : A cross sectional study conducted among 90 mothers of child aged 6 months to 6 years in
Zone V, Chennai from July to August 2017, using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire which had questions related
to socio demographic details, utilization of services and anthropometric measurements. Data was entered in MS excel and
analysis done using SPSS 16 version software. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were used, considering p
value of < 0.05 as significant.
RESULTS : The study results revealed that 16.7% of the children were registered and utilising any of the services provided
under the scheme, among them 93.3% children were taking supplementary nutrition, 73.3% children were availing health
check-up services and 80% children were taking non formal preschool education. Among those not utilising the ICDS
services, 50.7% were not aware of ICDS, 49.3% were aware but not utilising ICDS services. In this study, the prevalence of
underweight and stunting were 26.3% and 25% respectively. Overall, severe stunting was found in 13.8% of the children;
severe underweight in 5%.
CONCLUSION : This study indicated that the utilisation of ICDS providing child health services needs to be improved in the
study area. Also, indicates that there is a gap in awareness regarding the services and beneficiaries under the scheme. So,
we need to strengthen the IEC and BCC activities regarding the ICDS scheme and to reflect the awareness in their practice