This project will train local self help group women in 100 North Karnataka villages to identify underweight children below 5 years and follow a 5 step tracking model to track and treat these children. The 5 steps include referral for a health check up, micro nutrient supplementation, making and providing a high protein, high calorie ready to use mix ( using local ingredients) , intense one on one counselling of the mother on diet chart, personal hygiene and regular monitoring using growth chart
India still has a serious problem of malnutrition and micro nutrient deficiency on its hands. In Karnataka, almost half of children under five years of age (44%) are stunted (chronic malnutrition), 18% have acute malnutrition, and 38% are underweight. The NFHS - 3 data for Karnataka suggests that over 82% of children below 3 years have anemia. A recent study done by Myrada revealed that over 67 % of children below 5 years had anemia.
Two key strategies adopted in this project will be: a)Using a 5 step tracking tool to identify and follow up all children with malnutrition; b)Production of an energy dense nutrient supplement through women in SHGs. The local women will be trained to provide counselling to mothers, make and distribute the high protein supplement, ensure regular health checks, maintain growth charts, and provide micro-nutrient supplements to the children.
This project will reduce the prevalence of malnutrition and anaemia in children. There will be a change in diet behaviours of the family after counseling. Parents will learn how to monitor the growth of their child and practice healthy preventive practices such as hand washing, regular vaccination and micro-nutrient prophylaxis. Local women's groups will be empowered to monitor and track their local families to prevent complicated malnutrition. Families will set up kitchen gardens in their homes
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
