Nutritional awareness among the participants of national nutritional anaemia prophylaxis programme

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia is a major global nutritional problem and is prevalent in 50-80 per cent of population in different parts of India. Towards reducing anaemia, the government of India (GOI) launched the National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme (NNAPP) in 1970.National Anaemia control and Prophylaxis Programme has been fighting the relentless struggle to control the ailment since 1970, but has not yielded much. Hence a study entitled “Nutritional awareness among the participants of NNAPP” was undertaken to elicit the existing knowledge, attitude and practice on the programme among the participants identify the lacunae and to suggest correct preventive measures among the participants and to study its impact through KAP studies.

For pre test and posttest of knowledge and attitude suitably structured and pre test checklists were used. The dietary practice was assessed through food use frequency studies before and after the education programme. The regularity in the consumption of IFA tablets by the beneficiaries was studied before and after the intervention on consumption basis. The data pertaining to the socio economic and personal characteristics, health and nutritional profile and their participation in the NNAPP of the participants were ascertained with the help of a structured and pre tested interview schedule. The collected data were tabulated, analysed statistically and the results were interpreted.

Majority of the selected participants (84 per cent) in the study belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. Nearly 59 per cent belonged to Hindu community. Most of the participants were from nuclear family with medium level of education, low monthly income and moderate physical amenities. Majority of the families possessed television and radio in their homes and 72 per cent of the participants were members of one or other organization.

Anthropometric measurements revealed that body mass index of 50 per cent of the women beneficiaries were found to fall in the normal range, weight for height of child beneficiaries revealed that only 31 per cent were normal, 47 per cent were stunted and remaining 20 per cent of the child beneficiaries were stunted and wasted.

Haemoglobin level of the beneficiaries revealed that only 17 per cent were normal.40 percent were moderately anaemic and 37 per cent had mild anaemia. However 6 per cent were found to be severely anaemic. Mean food intake of the beneficiaries revealed that the food group, which met the RDA least, was green leafy vegetables followed by fruits, milk and milk products, fats ad oils, and even sugar. Mean nutrient intake of the women beneficiaries revealed that iron, vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid were far below the RDA stipulated. Mean nutrient intake of the child beneficiaries indicated that energy, protein, iron, vitamin C and folic acid were below the RDA.

Nutritional Status Index of the beneficiaries indicated medium and high Nutritional Status Index among 81 per cent of the beneficiaries and only 19 per cent of the beneficiaries were in the low Nutritional Status Index.

Majority of the participants relied more on the anganwadi workers than the PHC staff for iron and folic acid supplements. Less than 25 per cent of the participants participated in the meetings, campaign, nutrition and health education classes consistently.52 percent of the beneficiaries never consumed the IFA tablets. Participation Index of the beneficiaries in the programme related activities of PHC revealed that 58 per cent had medium level of Participation Index.

Data collected on the constraints faced by the beneficiaries revealed that irregular supply of supplements, gastro intestinal side effects, forgetfulness, blind beliefs and lack of awareness were the constraints experienced by the beneficiaries/participants.

The pre test scores revealed the lack of knowledge of the participants about various aspects of anaemia and its prevalence, role of iron and dietary modification, and anaemia control progrmme objectives. The education programme of three days duration was conducted for the benefit of the participants to impart required information on the above areas. The education programme had significant effect on the gain in knowledge as well as change in attitude and extent of adoption of practices. Correlation of selected independent variables of participants on the knowledge, attitude and practice revealed that there was significant positive correlation was observed with educational status, participation index and knowledge. Significant positive correlation was observed with age, educational status and attitude.

Comparison of mean scores of pre test and post test knowledge, attitude and practice revealed that education programme had significant improvement in the awareness of the participants.