A Descriptive Study on Environmental Sanitation and Personal Hygiene Status among Pre-school Children of Anganwadi Centres near a Rural Area Bengaluru

Background: The high incidence of mortality and morbidity among infants and children is attributed largely to unsafe water supply, poor hygienic practice and insanitary environment. Anganwadi are the backbone of non formal education in rural India and place for inculcating healthy habits for children at an early age. Objectives: To assess the environmental sanitation of Anganwadi Centers, to describe personal hygiene of preschool children in Anganwadi and to assess personal hygiene practices of Anganwadi staff. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Anganwadis located in the rural field practice area of a medical college, Bangalore over a period of two months. Anganwadi teachers, helpers and workers were interviewed through pre tested, semi structured questionnaire regarding their awareness on personal hygiene practices. Anganwadi children were examined for personal hygiene and morbidities. The Anganwadi centers environmental sanitation was assessed by observation. Results: 50 Anganwadi centers were visited. 45(90%) anganwadi center’s vessels and kitchen were kept clean. Lighting was adequate in 43(86%). 32(64%) Anganwadis had sanitary latrines. House hold purification of water was seen in 33(66%) anganwadi’s. Out of 1113 children registered, 689(61.9%) were examined. 479(69.5%) were found to be bare foot walkers, 55(7.9%) had poor face hygeine, 24(3.4%) poor hair hygeine, 95(13.78%) poor oral hygiene, 15(2.17%) poor feet hygeine, 51(7.4%) poor nail hygiene. Conclusions: The environmental sanitation of Anganwadi centre and personal hygiene status of children was not satisfactory. Keywords: Morbidity, Formal education, Hygiene, Anganwadi, Sanitation