Children's Right to Nutrition: Improvement through Community-Based Supervision in Aligarh

Children are deprived of adequate nutrition, which adversely affects their health and survival. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children enhances mortality risk and stunting. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) data show that about 8 million children under 5 years of age are SAM victims. This study, based on Strengthening Comprehensive Child Survival Programme Through Supportive Supervision (S-CCSP-SS) in Aligarh district, reveals that feeding practices for children have been substantially changed by community-level workers, especially Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Data suggest that initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h, 24 h and >24 h has changed from 40 to 80, 13 to 15 and 47 to 5 per cent, respectively (during 1^st and 2^nd surveys), due to community-level intervention. Furthermore, exclusive breastfeeding has also improved from 30 to 71 per cent with ASHAs’ intervention. It is further buttressed by the fact that among the three exclusive breastfeeding advisors, namely doctors/auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), ASHAs and family members, breastfeeding has changed from 11.5 to 4, 58 to 91.6 and 30.5 to 4.4 per cent, respectively. It clearly shows the crucial role played by ASHAs. The findings from the present study suggest the significant role played by the community workers in ensuring and enhancing nutrition to neonatals.