Urban health and nutrition day or only immunisation day? barriers and bottlenecks in implementing Urban health and nutrition day in an Urban primary health centre of Nagpur, Central India.

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out to evaluate the implementation status of Urban Health and Nutrition Day (UHND) and to explore barriers and bottlenecks as perceived by community-level service providers in the selected city of Nagpur, Maharashtra.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This mixed-method study was conducted using a triangulation design. An initial gap assessment was carried out quantitatively using an observation checklist. Focus group discussion among ASHAs and interviews among frontline health workers involved in community mobilisation were carried out to understand the bottlenecks and barriers.

RESULTS

Supplies of drugs and logistics, like paediatric iron and folic acid tablets, calcium tablets, and weighing machines, were inadequate. Services like distribution of conventional contraceptives, testing for malaria, urine albumin/sugar, haemoglobin estimation, screening for diabetes and hypertension, sputum collection, and qualitative iodine test kits are not available in any of the UHND sessions. Major challenges in the implementation of UHND were found to be as follows: unserved areas and left-out urban slum pockets; the distribution paradox of UHND location with an ill-defined geographic boundary; restriction of range of services to antenatal registration and immunisation with gross neglect of other components; suboptimal training of staff; insufficient availability of space, logistics, and health manpower; non-involvement of community members and Urban Local Bodies; and poor monitoring and supervision.

CONCLUSION

The conduct, use, and list of services offered in UHND are far from the desired goal. For optimal use, reallocation of the UHND sessions, preferably in unserved and underserved slums, need to be carried out after suitable vulnerability assessment. Integration of the Health, Women, and Child Department and Urban Local Bodies is required for convergent planning, monitoring, and supervision.