Detection and prevention of childhood disability with the help of Anganwadi workers.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of Anganwadi Workers (AWW) for detection and prevention of disability in children below 6 years of age. DESIGN Cross sectional and longitudinal follow up. SETTING Ten Anganwadi Centers in ICDS Urban Project. METHODS Trained AWWs identified disabilities and instituted preventive measures like immunization and supplementary nutrition. Simultaneous independent verification by pediatricians. Repeat survey after 6 mo of follow-up. RESULTS Amongst the 1545 children, AWW identified disability in 126 subjects which were verified in 118 cases by pediatricians. The disability rate was 7638 per 100,000 population. Visual, mental, orthopedic, speech and hearing disabilities rates were 4790, 2654, 583, 518 and 453 per 100,000 population, respectively. In the repeat survey, 35 of the 74 children with visual disability (mostly xerophthalmia), 4 of the 9 with orthopedic disability and 3 of the 7 with hearing disability could be managed satisfactorily. CONCLUSIONS AWW can help in early detection and appropriate management of incipient and preventable childhood disabilities.