Vol. 11, Special Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
Iffat ghani and Muzamil Jan

Abstract:
The survival of Indian children is a matter of concern because they are far behind in availing health care, nutrition and education facilities. Besides, endemic diseases and government’s limited public health spending, malnutrition and lack of awareness among mothers related to childcare, and nutrition also contribute to infant and maternal mortality. The package of services provided by Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) is well-suited to addressing the immediate causes of undernutrition, improving the knowledge of women beneficiaries related to childcare and nutrition, inadequate dietary intake and childhood infections. In this context an intervention was provided for sample women by the investigator in two ways by preparing and using a module keeping in view its effectiveness. The module comprised of a video film and role play supported by visuals. The intervention was provided in two phases. Module was devised with focused attention on the understanding and comprehension levels of sample women to bring about harmony and compatibility in search and sought. Comparing between the means of intervention, more effective was found to be Role play which helped in capturing full attention of the target beneficiaries. They perceived and related the problem by identifying with the characters performing play. The next effective Audio-Visual Aid being Video films, which fascinated the women beneficiaries to acquire knowledge. The pictorial messages (Posters, Charts) also helped the majority of the beneficiaries to understand by recognizing the items and making the message interesting and material more understandable. However, some of the sample beneficiaries were not able to recognize and remember the pictorial messages properly.