"Growing Solutions: Evaluating the Impact and Viability of Poshan-Vatika in Combating Anemia among Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls in Bhanvad Taluka, DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat"

Introduction: Kitchen gardens, as small-scale vegetable cultivation areas within households, play a crucial role in providing a sustainable source of fresh and nutritious vegetables. This study forms a pivotal component of an innovation pilot project where kitchen garden intervention holds significant importance. The primary aim and objectives of this study revolve around assessing the effectiveness and feasibility of the kitchen garden intervention in addressing anemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls in Bhanvad Taluka of Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat. By integrating the cultivation of vegetables within households, the study aims to contribute to improved nutrition and overall wellbeing in these specific demographic groups. Materials and Methods: The current study, conducted between June 2020 to March 2021, focused on Bhanvad Taluka of DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study targeted a sample of 60 pregnant women and 304 adolescent girls, selected through simple random sampling. Verbal informed consent was obtained from each participant to ensure ethical research practices. The evaluation team administered a semistructured, pilot-tested questionnaire in the local language. Counsellors, including FHW/ MS/ FHS/ASHA, actively participated in the project, contributing to the comprehensive nature of the study. Results: Severity of anemia got reduced due to the project interventions. Overall scenario among total beneficiaries at the end of project found that mild cases were increased and moderate cases got reduced while there no change among severe cases reported. Conclusion: The use of Kitchen Garden can promote awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and encourage the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of Kitchen Garden as an intervention to address anemia among pregnant women and adolescent girls

Evaluating Anemia Counseling: A Study among Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls in Bhanvad Taluka, DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat

Introduction: The iron requirement of the body increases during this period and resulting into anemia. National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-20), about 65% women (15-49 y) and about 62% of pregnant women were suffering from various degrees of anemia in Gujarat. Current study is the part of the innovation pilot project in which counselling was very important component. It motivated the beneficiaries to increase uptake of project services. Thus, the current paper is designed with the aim and objective to analyse the effect of counselling done for all the beneficiaries (Pregnant women and adolescent girls) in context for their improvement in anaemia status. Materials and Methods: The current study, conducted between June 2020 to March 2021 in Bhanvad Taluka of DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat, is part of the innovation pilot Anaemia Project under ICDS. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study focused on 60 pregnant women and 304 adolescent girls, selected through simple random sampling. Verbal Informed Consent was obtained from each participant, and a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire was administered in the local language by the evaluation team. The active involvement of counsellors, including FHW/ MS/ FHS/ ASHA, added a crucial dimension to the project, enhancing its effectiveness and outreach. Results: it was found that overall anemia burden among beneficiaries was reduced (9.34%) considering baseline and endline data taken during the study. This reduction was more seen among PWs (18.33%) as compared to AGs (7.56%). Conclusion: The results showed that nutrition education and counselling positively influenced the intake of dietary iron and vitamin C-rich foods

Estimation of tuberculosis incidence at subnational level using three methods to monitor progress towards ending TB in India, 2015–2020

Objectives We verified subnational (state/union territory (UT)/district) claims of achievements in reducing tuberculosis (TB) incidence in 2020 compared with 2015, in India.Design A community-based survey, analysis of programme data and anti-TB drug sales and utilisation data.Setting National TB Elimination Program and private TB treatment settings in 73 districts that had filed a claim to the Central TB Division of India for progress towards TB-free status.Participants Each district was divided into survey units (SU) and one village/ward was randomly selected from each SU. All household members in the selected village were interviewed. Sputum from participants with a history of anti-TB therapy (ATT), those currently experiencing chest symptoms or on ATT were tested using Xpert/Rif/TrueNat. The survey continued until 30 Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases were identified in a district.Outcome measures We calculated a direct estimate of TB incidence based on incident cases identified in the survey. We calculated an under-reporting factor by matching these cases within the TB notification system. The TB notification adjusted for this factor was the estimate by the indirect method. We also calculated TB incidence from drug sale data in the private sector and drug utilisation data in the public sector. We compared the three estimates of TB incidence in 2020 with TB incidence in 2015.Results The estimated direct incidence ranged from 19 (Purba Medinipur, West Bengal) to 1457 (Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya) per 100 000 population. Indirect estimates of incidence ranged between 19 (Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli) and 788 (Dumka, Jharkhand) per 100 000 population. The incidence using drug sale data ranged from 19 per 100 000 population in Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to 651 per 100 000 population in Centenary, Maharashtra.Conclusion TB incidence in 1 state, 2 UTs and 35 districts had declined by at least 20% since 2015. Two districts in India were declared TB free in 2020