Endline Assessment: A Study on Household Consumption Pattern and Nutritional Status of the Children in Jigani and Anekal Taluk, Bangalore

Consultant: Dr. Sarala
Funding Agency: United way, Bangalore, India
Location: Dommansandra, Bellandur and Mandur, Bangalore

The study was aimed i) to assess the household’s consumption pattern and diet and ii) to assess the nutritional status of children enrolled in Anganwadi Centers in urban Bangalore. Methods and Materials: The study was carried out in three locations i.e., Bellanduru (10 AWCs), Dommasandra (15 AWCs), and Manduru (15 AWCs) of Bangalore city in Karnataka, covering the population of a total of 40 AWCs. Anthropometric measurement was assessed in total 596 children from 40 AWCs and a random sample of 166 mothers of the children in the study were interviewed to gather information related to household consumption pattern. SPSS, Excel and Anthropac were used for data analysis. WHO growth standards were followed for Nutritional Assessment of children household food consumption pattern and nutritional status of children using anthropometric measures in selected Anganwadi centers of Bangalore. The project was supported by Prof. Usha Manjunath, by reviewing and feedback on the report. Dr. Deepashree supported in training the field staffs and Mr. Rajendra in analysis the anthropometric data. Field supervision and coordination was supported by Ms. Ramya and Field data collection by Mr. Madhusudhakar, Mr. Sivakumar, Ms. Renuka and Mr. Abhishek.

Impact of COVID 19 on Health and Nutritional Status among Young Children: A Qualitative Study in Selected Anganwadi Centers in Bengaluru Urban

Consultant : Dr. R. Sarala
Funding Agency: United way, Bangalore, India
Location:  Jigani and Anekal Taluks of Bengaluru Urban District

The objectives of the study were to assess the nutritional status and to understand the household food consumption pattern in the selected Anganwadis in Bengaluru Urban District. The study was conducted in Jigani and Anekal Taluks of Bengaluru Urban District. Five clusters namely, Bukkasagara, Byatarayanadoddi, Thigaralabeedhi, Shanubhogana Halli and Ayodhyanagar were selected for the study. A total of 22 children (of 21 mothers) were selected randomly. Anthropometric measurements viz., height, weight and MUAC were carried out among the sample children. Further, qualitative method viz., in depth interview was carried out with mothers/caretakers (6 months to 6 years children) to develop insights about knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding nutrition, feeding practices and child development. The study was carried out a couple months after the lockdown was lifted (Phase 1) and this provided an opportunity to develop strategies to sustain the gains made during years before. Along with anthropometric measurement of the children, details of feeding practices, immunization, childcare, and WASH practices were explored at a deeper level to understand the situation. Prof. Usha Manjunath, IIHMR, Bangalore supported qualitative data analysis, and report preparation. Dr. Deepashree M.R. and Dr. Mythri Shree supported in data collection.

Status Evaluation and Strategic Directions for Shri. B.D. Tatti Memorial Charitable Trust, Laxmeshwar, Gadag: School for Deaf Children

Consultant: Dr. Usha Manjunath

Shri. B.D. Tatti School for the deaf children is a residential school located in Laxmeshwar in Gadag district. The School was established in 1997 and currently has 300 students from 1 to 10th Standard. Under the Charitable Trust a number of related work in rehabilitation has also been going on. With a view to achieve better scholastic performance among deaf children, a pre-school programme for the deaf children was initiated. Dr. Usha Manjunath is an independent consultant to assess the present status of the School including Educational Programmes, School System and arrive at a SWOT analysis. Based on the evaluation strategic goals will be developed on Programmatic interventions for deaf education in order to enhance scholastic achievements, empower deaf young people to achieve economic empowerment, communication and integration into the community, Streamline and enhance Deaf Pre-School Program interventions with current professional knowledge on Communication development and holistic development of young children and Long term plans on vocational, job skills and economic empowerment of deaf children in the region with inclusive education and growth.

Market Research for innovative ophthalmic equipments Digital Gonio Camera and Digital Slit Lamp

Consultant: Dr. Usha Manjunath

Market sensing and product strategy research was carried out for Digital Gonio Camera and Digital Slit Lamp which are a part of innovation product research by Dr. H. V. Srinivas, Ophthalmologist, CEO of Lumisoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd He is developing Digital Gonio Camera and Digital Slit Lamp with a Biotechnology Ignition Grant-2015 BIRAC, GoI, on A Gonioscope without a slit lamp. Market research approach included a sample of ophthalmologists and optometrists for Portable Digital Slit Lamp and ophthalmologists for Portable Digital Gonio Camera. Both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities were included. Wide variety of hospitals were covered: small clinics, small to large eye care hospitals, government hospitals, teaching hospitals (medical college), chain of eye care hospitals and departments in tertiary care hospitals. A total of 200 optometrists and ophthalmologists were contacted, and we received 142 responses (including both products). 60 respondents participated for survey on Portable Digital Gonio Camera and 82 responded in survey for Portable Digital Slit Lamp. Market research report was submitted in January 2018 upon completion. Dr. Sarala, Assistant Professor of IIHMR, Bangalore supported in field study for the market survey.

Develop and Design a Project Implementation strategy for Efficient distribution of Double Fortified Salt in Madhya Pradesh

Agency: The India Nutrition Initiative, New Delhi

Consultant: Dr. Manjunatha R

Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are significant health problems affecting the people of India and of Madhya Pradesh. WHO estimates indicate the prevalence of anaemia in developed and developing countries in pregnant women at 14% in developed and 51% in developing countries and 65-75% proportion of cases are prevalent in India alone. Government of Madhya Pradesh has decided to supplement the existing efforts of reducing iron deficiency anaemia and iodine deficiency through a State-wide intervention to provide high-quality Double Fortified Salt (DFS) to the consumers of the state to help promote public health and alleviate malnutrition, by addressing anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies. DFS means Double Fortified Salt. A form of table salt manufactured to contain iron and iodine, can fight off anaemia and iron deficiency disorders. The merit of this technology is that the vehicle used for fortification, namely salt, is universally consumed by all segments including the poor among whom anaemia is much more prevalent. A detailed program implementation strategy was undertaken to achieve the objective of efficient distribution of DFS in the State through Public Distribution System

Writing Terms of Reference for various programmes

Consultant: Dr. Usha Manjunath
Funding Agency: Karnataka Evaluation Authority (KEA), Govt. of Karnataka
Location: Karnataka

The main objective of the study was to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Government of Karnataka Programmes/schemes. It involved collection of programme/schemes related data for the preparation of ToR from the respective department. The ToR’s developed become the basis for the further evaluation of the programmes/schemes which was floated in the KEA. Following 7 government schemes/programmes ToRs were written.

• Evaluation of Rajiv Gandhi Chaitanya Yojana
• Evaluation of Dean Dayal Upadhyaya Grameena Koushalaya Yojane
• Evaluation of Suchi sambhrama kit for SC/ST boys and girls
• Study of the status and performance of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme in Karnataka
• Study of status of senior citizens in Karnataka
• Study of status of self-help group in Karnataka
• Usage of e-Hospital software developed by NIC

Team Members Supported: Dr. Sarala Raju, Dr. Vanishree M R, Dr. Veena and Mr. Rajendra

Develop and Design a Project Implementation strategy for Efficient distribution of Double Fortified Salt in Jharkhand

Agency : The India Nutrition Initiative, New Delhi

Consultant : Dr. Manjunatha R

Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are significant health problems affecting the people of India and of Jharkhand. WHO estimates indicate the prevalence of anaemia in developed and developing countries in pregnant women at 14% in developed and 51% in developing countries and 65-75% proportion of cases are prevalent in India alone. As per NFHS-4, in Jharkhand, 65.2% of women of reproductive age are anaemic, as are 69.9% of children ages 06 months to 59 months. Government of Jharkhand has decided to supplement the existing efforts of reducing iron deficiency anaemia and iodine deficiency through a State-wide intervention to provide high-quality Double Fortified Salt (DFS) to the consumers of the state to help promote public health and alleviate malnutrition, by addressing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. DFS means Double Fortified Salt. A form of table salt manufactured to contain iron and iodine, can fight off anemia and iron deficiency disorders. The merit of this technology is that the vehicle used for fortification, namely salt, is universally consumed by all segments including the poor among whom anemia is much more prevalent. A detailed program implementation strategy is the objective of efficient distribution of DFS in the State through Public Distribution System.

End-line Evaluation of Primary Education Project for Deaf Children-Karnataka

Agency: Deaf Child Worldwide, U.K. (DCW and Big Lottery Fund) and Association for People with Disability, Bangalore (APD)

Evaluators/Consultants: Dr. Usha Manjunath, IIHMR, Bangalore and Dr. Nagendra Prasad (Freelancer)

The Association of People with Disabilities (APD) implemented a project, called Primary Education for Deaf Children in selected 3 districts of Karnataka state, namely Vijayapura (Bijapur), Davanagere and Chikkabalapur with support from Deaf Child Worldwide (DCW) and with financial assistance from The Big Lottery Fund. The project aimed at providing elementary education to deaf children identified in 9 blocks of the above districts from June 2012 to May 2016, with an agreed extended period of 6 months i.e., up to December-2016. An end line project evaluation completed in the month of December 2016 by two external evaluators namely Dr. Usha Manjunath and Dr. Nagendra Prasad provided several insights and policy directions for Deaf Children Primary Education. This project provided the much-needed evidence-based information for a Community based inclusive education for deaf children in rural and semi-urban areas. The end line evaluation included mixed research methodologies and a total of 445 stakeholders were interviewed for data collection. About 350 to 360 stakeholders were met through focus group discussions (FGDs) & in-depth interviews (IDIs) to understand qualitative impact patterns from the project.

All the children in the project cycle (790) were admitted (newly), readmitted (who may have discontinued) or continuing education showed 100% admissions in normal schools at local level (most of them in Government Schools). Overall retention rates of the Deaf children in schools are 96.41%, which is more than the retention rates of formal school going children in the system. In the span of four and half years, almost all children enrolled in the project (790) showed significant improvements in communication (Total Communication including Indian Sign Language), access to services/government schemes for the deaf, educational/learning environment at home and school, social life and overall personality development. The stakeholders including deaf children, their parents, school teachers, community members, Gram Panchayat/Zilla Parishad/Municipality/City Corporation officials, project staff/community level rehabilitation workers and Government Officials of Education Department gave an overwhelming positive response about the project impact in terms of relevance, viability, scale and scope. Further, APD concept of Model School to build disable friendly & inclusive environment for Children with Disability (CwDs) in the age group of 6-16 years with 10 -12 children per model school in the inclusive school setup to enable them to access quality education & rehabilitation under the same roof was found successful in the districts of Vijayapura (Bijapur) and Davanagere.

Strongest impact was seen (more than 80% of the deaf children enrolled) in the following areas:

• Educational Status Improvement
• Utilization of government services/schemes
• Parent participation and Improvement in Total Communication with ISL as a major language.

A final report with implications on replicability and policy in deaf child primary education were submitted.