Health and Nutrition

Output:

Increased awareness on child care is improved. The responsibility lies with every one in the family. They really understood the real meaning of “Parents – P-Pappa, A-Amma, R- Relations, E- elders, N-Neighbours, T-Teachers, S- Society. It is encouraging the the fathers have realised it. According to the survey among young fathers 12% of them realised that father's role equally important like mothers. (Surveyed 78 young fathers). The mothers have realised that the constant interactions with the child even before birth play a vital role in shaping children's brains, and consequently their behaviours, their capacity to learn, health and social relationships. They understand the stages of brain development. The women are very clear that a child's brain is developed even before the child starts formal education. At household level the parents are keeping colourful and creative pictures so that the child learn through observation. Keeping and safeguarding the household things making the home very child friendly. They are aware about the nutritions for pregnant. Lactating women and children who are under 5. There is a shift from consuming processed and packed food to nutritious traditional food habits. They understand the importance of recreation and physical activities of children. Through games and physical activities the children are aware of themselves, physical development, relationship, reasoning skills, social skills therefore the parents understanding the above development in the children they allow their children to interact, play with other children even those who belong to other caste and religion. The ECCD process developed good rapport and relationship with the PHC and PHN. So the timely monitoring of immunisation, weight and hight, availing Govt subsidies for delivery and tubectomy. All the lactating members of the club are practicing exclusive breast feeding for six months. The mentality of the parents have changed. Previously when the child falls down the parent will immediately punish and reprimand the child. But now the parents encourage and sooth the child. A positive parenting trend has set in. The Government baby shower scheme PAD's staff Guruveswari was invited and given time to make a presentation on Child care, stages of brain development and the importance of 1000 days care. Now she is being invited at the district level to give the same talk in all similar schemes. The impact of training to anganwadi workers on ECCD has helped them and proved their efficiency. Only 4% of undernourished children out of 270 were found. They were also given appropriate care to improve their weight. In Vembar mother’s club there are 35 ANC mothers and 29 PNC mothers. Out of the 29 births there was one infant mortality and one still birth case. It was unfortunate. When enquired with PHC they said infant mortality and still birth has come down this year. They are not able to give us the data specific to Vembar to compare since many women come from many villages. But promised to provide us the data.