Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post COVID-19 pandemic, due to lack of access to nutritional services, malnutrition prevalence has exacerbated. The role of Anganwadi workers in provision of nutrition services is important in prevention of malnutrition in the community. AIM: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of training on malnutrition on the knowledge of malnutrition among Anganwadi workers in Anekal Taluk of Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional before and after study among 381 Anganwadi workers on the knowledge of malnutrition. After 6 months of training, 303 among the 381 Anganwadi workers were reassessed for knowledge retainment. The tool used for the assessment of knowledge of malnutrition was a 10-item multiple choice questionnaire. Qualitative information regarding challenges of managing malnutrition was also collected during the training. RESULTS: As compared to the pretest scores, 45.9% of the participants had an increase in knowledge of malnutrition immediately after the training and after 6 months. 19.81% of the participants had an increase in knowledge. During the discussion, participants shared issues of referral mechanism, anthropometry devices, complexity of the nature of malnutrition, Poshan tracker app use, and practical aspects of management of malnutrition. RECOMMENDATIONS: A standardized curriculum for malnutrition, improved teaching-learning methods, and assessment methods for use among community health workers and calibration and functioning anthropometry tools are essential for malnutrition training. In the community, a strong link between the primary health care system and integrated child development scheme and services is crucial in community-based management of severe and moderate acute malnutrition.