A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding the Health Benefits of Nutritional Supplements in Anganwadi among Mothers of Under-Five Children at Rural Areas of Kuppam

Malnutrition in under-five children is a major public health issue in rural India. Anganwadi centers, part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, provide nutritional supplements to combat this. Mothers' knowledge regarding these supplements is crucial for their effective utilization. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to assess this knowledge among 65 mothers of under-five children in rural Kuppam, selected via convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire (Cronbach’s Alpha r = 0.75). Findings revealed that 21.5% of mothers had adequate knowledge, 47.7% had moderate knowledge, and 30.8% had inadequate knowledge, with a mean knowledge score of 12.20 (SD = 3.688). Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and maternal education (p=0.011), occupation (p=0.017), housing type (p=0.004), and participation in health education programs (p=0.038). The study underscores the need for targeted health education to enhance maternal awareness and improve child health outcomes through better utilization of Anganwadi nutritional programs.