Role and Barriers of Integrated Child Development Service in Bihar, India

Abstract

Children face a lousy situation due to lack of food and nutrition in the early age of life,
the most crucial period when social, emotional, language, cognitive, physical/motor
development and life-long learning are laid. The results by analysing NFHS data
portrayed that only nine per cent of children aged 0-71 months had availed any services
from AWCs, whereas the health check-ups (0.7%) and measurement of weight at AWC
(0.5%) services were least likely to be accessed in Bihar (2005-06), while it improved
significantly in the latest round of the survey. Poor sections of the society have a better
access to the services provided by AWCs. Atmosphere of the AWCs is not up to the mark
and requires quality improvement. Poor registration in them is not only due to lack of
infrastructure but also to cultural and ecological factors. Children are without basic
amenities, poor lighting, and hot humid conditions. If the AWCs get basic amenities,
children would be more attracted to join them. With the provision of electricity, workers
would be able to take audio and video classes under pre-schooling. Intervention for
nutrition also requires multi-sectoral attention.