A Comparative Study of Morbidity Pattern among Children of 0-6 years in ICDS and non ICDS Area

Government of India (GOI) introduced in 1975, its most ambitious and comprehensive plan to increase child survival rates among the poorest and enhance the health, nutrition and learning opportunities of preschool children and their mothers through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. The ICDS scheme can have positive impact on the health status of the children. The objective of the study is to compare the morbidity pattern among children of 0-6 years in ICDS and non ICDS area. The present cross sectional study with comparison group was planned to compare the health status of 0-6 years children in ICDS and non ICDS urban slums of Nagpur city. Morbidity was assessed for recent illness in last 90 days prior to the visit. Statistical test used were Z test for difference between two proportions and Z test for difference between two means. There were total 239 and 321 morbid conditions found during study in ICDS and non ICDS areas respectively. Anemia was most frequent morbid condition in both the areas. Mean morbid condition per child in ICDS and non ICDS areas was 0.85 + 1.01 and 1.14 + 1.2 respectively. No morbid condition was in 132 (47.2%) children in ICDS and 110 (39.3%) children in non ICDS area. Thus we can say that the overall health status of children of ICDS area is better off (though not very good) when compared with children from non ICDS areas.