Like many parts of Bihar, East Champaran faces significant challenges related to undernutrition among women and children, including stunted growth, wasting, low weight, and anemia. While data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicate some progress in reducing these indicators over the years, the pace of improvement remains slow. Anemia among women and children is particularly concerning in Bihar, including East Champaran, with severe consequences for health and development. Several factors contribute to malnutrition in the region, including poverty, inadequate dietary intake, poor sanitation and hygiene, infections, and limited access to healthcare and nutrition services.
(Women understanding about nutrition importance in Bihar)
To address these challenges, a workshop was presented on March 4, 2025, under the Krishi Jyoti Project, supported by Mosaic India Private Limited. The workshop, held in East Champaran district, Bihar, raised nutrition awareness among frontline workers. Conducted in collaboration with the Health and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) departments, participants included auxiliary nurse midwives, accredited social health activists, anganwadi workers, and lady supervisors. Several government officials also attended, including the medical officer in-charge, the block medical coordinator, the block coordinator from the ICDS department, and the data entry operator
(Engaging the beneficiaries via games)
The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance the knowledge and capacity of frontline workers in promoting good nutrition and a balanced diet for overall health. Key topics included the fundamentals of nutrition, the implications of malnutrition, and maternal and child nutrition. Specific areas of focus included antenatal and postnatal checkups, dietary and health follow-ups during pregnancy and postpartum, lactation, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, growth monitoring, and vaccination. The discussion also emphasized maternal and child nutrition during lactation.
The training was designed to be participatory, ensuring an engaging and interactive learning experience. Group activities, introductory games, and icebreakers, were employed to facilitate a two-way learning process.
Pre- and post-assessment questionnaires were used to evaluate participants’ knowledge levels. Additionally, feedback and suggestions were collected through feedback forms to enhance future workshops. A ICDS block coordinator shared the following comments: “The workshop deserves all the praise it can get,” and called the effort “great management and a valuable learning platform for health care workers.” Participants actively engaged in the workshop, displayed enthusiasm throughout, and expressed interest in attending similar sessions in the future.
(Author: Aparna Singh, Assistant Program Lead, Foods and Nutrition, SMSF)
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