Role of anganwadi workers' knowledge in the developmental milestones of children at anganwadi centers

The study was conducted to determine anganwadi workers' (AWs) knowledge levels about children's developmental milestones as well as the information sources they use. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) providers (50 anganwadi workers from 30 urban and 20 from rural anganwadi centres) and their anganwadi children of Ludhiana district were studied. It was found that the majority of anganwadi workers had an average knowledge level and 10-15 years of experience. A significant finding of the study was that AWs in rural areas were more knowledgeable than their urban counterparts. Compared to children from urban areas, children from rural anganwadi centers possess more gross motor skills and have better socio-emotional development. There was a correlation between knowledge of AWs and children's developmental milestones that significantly impacts fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and language skills of urban children as well as gross motor skills and socio-emotional skills in rural anganwadi centres.