Knowledge of Anganwadi workers about growth monitoring in Delhi.

In an Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) block, Alipur, in Delhi, India, interviews were conducted with 100 anganwadi workers (one of whose major functions is growth monitoring) to determine their knowledge on growth monitoring and to identify gaps in that knowledge. Each anganwadi worker serves a population of 1000. 99% had adequate knowledge about the significance of the lines on the growth charts that indicate different grades of nutritional status. Yet only 43% knew that they can begin growth monitoring for any child under age 6. 37% did not know that assessment of correct age is not essential for growth monitoring. 90-91% had correct knowledge about weight of a child at 1 and 3 years. Yet only 17-30% knew the correct mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for an optimally nourished child aged 2 and 4. These findings suggest that training programs and various meetings have emphasized inputs of growth monitoring but not on age at which growth monitoring can be started, on correct age for successfully conducting growth monitoring, and on the cut-off measurements for MUAC. Continued education on various aspects of growth monitoring are needed for anganwadi workers.