Constrains for attending District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal: Perspectives of both service providers and caregivers of the beneficiaries, a Mixed-Method Study.

Abstract

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is an ongoing screening program that deals with early detection and management of the 4Ds prevalent in children (defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies, and developmental delays). It runs a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), which is an interdisciplinary approach of a multidisciplinary team placed under one roof. It provides referral support to children detected with health conditions during health screening.

Aims: This study was conducted to assess the clinicosocial profile characteristics of the beneficiaries attending DEIC and to explore the challenges faced by both the caregivers and service providers.

Settings and design: A facility-based, mixed-method study with phenomenological approach was conducted in Burdwan Medical College of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, from January 2023 to April 2023.

Methods and materials: For quantitative part, record analysis was conducted involving all children enrolled at DEIC from January 2022 to December 2022, and for qualitative part, caregivers and service providers were selected purposively and interviewed using the in-depth-interview (IDI) guide. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted simultaneously till data saturation was achieved.

Statistical analysis used: The principles of descriptive statistics were applied to organize and present the quantitative data in tables and diagrams. Qualitative data were transcribed into verbatim and analyzed thematically with inductive approach.

Results: Out of 3332 children enrolled, 58.4% were males, and 44.2% were aged between 0 and 1 month. 59.3% of them had developmental delays, 7.9% had defects, 42.9% had diseases, and 21.3% had some deficiencies. Major hindering factors in service provision among service providers were resource deficiency, inadequate capacity building, administrative bottlenecks, limited supportive supervision, inadequate advocacy, and awareness deficit. No major constraints were found from caregivers' perspective in accessing healthcare.

Conclusions: DEIC is running with shortage of proper infrastructure and adequate supervision. Periodic training, appropriate awareness building, and continuous flow of logistics are needed to ensure a better quality of life among beneficiaries.