A Study to Analyse the Knowledge Level of Women Beneficiaries of Anganwadi Centres (AWC) ........
Mothers are the primary caregivers for their children, particularly during the first three to six years of life, when they are most vulnerable to malnutrition. Her level of awareness about childcare and nutrition, as well as other relevant factors, will decide how well she takes care of her children in order to keep them safe. As a result, the aim of this study was to assess and improve the level of awareness among women who were beneficiaries of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Service Scheme) centres in the Kashmir district of Budgam. This research was conducted with a sample of 600 registered women beneficiaries of AWCs (Anganwadi centres), of whom 150 were nursing mothers (NM), 150 were pregnant women (PW), and 300 were mothers of child beneficiaries (MCB) with children aged 6 months to 3 years. The instrument used to test nutritional awareness related to the value of different kinds (variety) of foods for adequate/ optimum growth and development of a child was a self-created rating scale. Further, in order to divide the levels of nutritional knowledge as, low, medium and high, Quartiles were calculated. In this way the mothers having low level of knowledge (Q1) those who scored up to 4, medium (Q2) whereas, sample women who scored between 5-6 and high level of knowledge (Q3) scored as ≥ 7.The statements were so arranged that a positive answer was specified under score of 1, whereas, a negative statement was granted a score of 0 . The scores of positive responses were summed up and the level of knowledge of women beneficiaries was ascertained, a statistically significant variation is observed in levels of nutritional knowledge as per educational qualification and income group among the respondents. In contrast to block Budgam and Chadoora, respondents from block B.K.Pora and Nagam have a higher degree of nutritional awareness. In contrast to NM and PW, MCB has a higher level of awareness among the classes. There is no discernible difference in nutritional information levels as a function of age. The study clearly shows that a mother's education is directly linked to her knowledge. Mothers who are educated are more experienced than mothers who are functionally literate.
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