Community Engagement Strategy : Assessing Its Feasibility In Delivering Key Nutrition Interventions For Adolescent Girls Of Urban Slum Of Vadodara

Abstract

Background: The Nutritional Status Of Adolescent Girls, The 'future Mothers' Contributes Significantly To The Nutritional Status Of The Community. Community Mobilization And Awareness Can Play An Important Role In Delivering Key Nutrition Interventions To Improve Nutritional Status Of Adolescents. Objectives: To Study The Feasibility Of Orienting Mahila Arogya Samiti Members (mas) As A Part Of Community Engagement Strategy For Delivering Key Nutrition Interventions For Adolescent Girls. Methods: After Obtaining Necessary Perm Ission,250 Unmarried Adolescent Girls Aged 15-19 Years And 46 Mahila Arogy Samiti Members (mas) Were Enrolled In The Study From One Ufic Area. 3 Days Training Was Imparted To Mas Members For Delivering Key Nutrition Interventions. 250 Girls Were Distributed Among 46 Mas Members For Counselling Purpose. Mas Members Were Supposed To Have 2 Contact/week For The Girls Allocated To Them For 3 Months Duration. Results: It Was Revealed That 91%, 87% And 61% Of The Mas Members Counselled The Girls (irrespective Of Total Number Session/month) For The 3 Months Respectively. It Was Observed That 25% Of Girls Were Not Counselled At All. 38% Of The Girls Had 8-15 Frequency Of Contact Point By Mas Members. Conclusion: This Study Is One Of The Very Few Studies Examining Feasibilities O F Community Engagement Strategy Involving Mas Members In Urban Slum Area In Delivery Key Nutrition/health Messages To Unmarried Adolescent Girls (15-19 Years). Findings Suggest That It May Offer A Potential Solution If Further Efforts By The Authorities Like Regular Orientation , Supportive Supervision And Recognition O F The Functionaries With Incentives Are Considered.