Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 1

GUIDELINES FOR
COMMUNITY BASED EVENTS (CBE)
2018

POSHAN Abhiyaan
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Government of India
2 POSHAN Abhiyaan
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 3

GUIDELINES FOR
COMMUNITY BASED EVENTS (CBE)
2018

POSHAN Abhiyaan
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Government of India
4 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Abbreviations
ANC Antenatal Care
ANM Auxiliary Nurse Midwife
ASHA Accredited Social Health Activist
AWC Anganwadi Centre
AWW Anganwadi Worker
BCC Behaviour Change Communication Programs
CBE Community Based Events
CDPO Child Development Project Officer
ECCE Early Childhood Care and Education
ICDS Integrated Child Development Scheme
IEC Information, Education and Communication
IFA Iron and Folic Acid
IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding
JSY Janani Suraksha Yojana
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
MGNREGS
Guarantee Scheme
MCPC Mother and Child Protection Card
MWCD Ministry of Women and Child Development
NRHM National Rural Health Mission
PDS Public Distribution System
PMMVY Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
POSHAN PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment
PRI Panchayati Raj Institutions
SAG Scheme for Adolescent Girls
SHG Self Help Group
SPMU State Project Management Unit
THR Take Home Ration
VHSNC Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee
WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 5

Contents
Chapter 1 6

Introduction

Chapter 2 8

The programme
2.1 Objectives
2.2 Target beneficiaries

Chapter 3 9

Operational guidelines for organising community-based events

3.1 Number of participants
3.2 Periodicity, venue and duration
3.3 Providing name to the event
3.4 Planning
3.5 Financial provision

Chapter 4 12
Themes for community-based events
4.1 Inviting women during the first/second trimester of pregnancy
4.2 Annaprasan Diwas
4.3 Suposhan Diwas (Specifically focused on orienting husbands)
4.4 Celebrating coming of age – getting ready for preschool at AWC
4.5 Messages related to public health for improvement of nutrition and to
reduce illness

Chapter 5 24

Reports, forms, monitoring and evaluation

5.1 General instruction

Annexes 26

Annexure I CBE – Monthly progress report 27

Annexure II CBE – Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) 28

6 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Chapter

Introduction
1.1 To ensure convergence with various programmes i.e., Anganwadi Services, Pradhan Mantri
Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) of this Ministry; Janani
Suraksha Yojana (JSY), National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare; Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM); Public Distribution System (PDS); Department of
Food & Public Distribution; Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(MGNREGS); Drinking Water & Sanitation of Ministry of Panchayati Raj etc. the Government
of India has approved setting up of POSHAN Abhiyaan on 30 November 2017. Administrative
approval in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
on 18 December 2017.

1.2 The problem of malnutrition is intergenerational and is dependent on multiple factors which,
inter-alia, include optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, immunization,
institutional delivery, early childhood development, food fortification, deworming, access to
safe drinking water and proper sanitation, dietary diversification, ORS-zinc and other related
factors. Therefore, in order to address the problem of stunting, under-weight and wasting
especially in children, there is a need to take-up sustained efforts requiring multi-pronged
approach and bring grass-root synergy and convergence.

1.3 The Mission envisages enhanced focus on under-three children through specific initiatives
aimed at motivating and mobilising behaviour change among the functionaries, beneficiaries
and the community at large. One such initiative under POSHAN Abhiyaan is to promote
behaviour change among the communities to improve maternal and child nutrition. Behaviour
change communication (BCC) programmes use the most powerful and fundamental human
interaction – communication – to positively influence these social dimensions of health and
well-being. BCC has proven effective in several health areas. In this context communication
goes beyond the delivery of a simple message or slogan to encompass the full range of ways
in which people individually and collectively convey meaning. Among the powerful tools
employed by BCC programmes are mass media, community-level activities, interpersonal
communication, and information and communication technologies.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 7

1.4 BCC capitalizes on opportunities for change and addresses obstacles to change to help people
change behaviours. It recognizes that individuals have choice and responsibility and social
context also influences behaviours. The social context can include the family, the community,
values, and the environment in which change must take place. Structural considerations also
matter, such as whether facilities and policies support the change.

1.5 To address the problem of malnutrition the focus of POSHAN Abhiyaan on the first 1000 days of
the child, which includes the nine months of pregnancy, six months of exclusive breastfeeding
and the period from 6 months to 2 years to ensure focused interventions on addressing under-
nutrition. Besides increasing the birth weight, it will help to reduce both Infant Mortality Rate
(IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). Additional one year of sustained intervention (till the
age of 3 years) would ensure that the gains of the first 1000 days are consolidated. Attention is
also given on children in the age group of 3-6 years for their overall development through the
platform of the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). One such initiative under the POSHAN Abhiyaan
is to promote behaviour change among the communities and to improve maternal and child
nutrition by organizing community-based events in a structured way.

1.6 The community-based events are envisaged as a platform for disseminating essential
messages and to counsel pregnant women and lactating women on appropriate health
and nutrition behaviours and healthy practices. It provides an opportunity of face-to-face
interaction between the beneficiaries, community representatives and facilitators. It further
provides a forum wherein community support can be mobilised to motivate and enable the
pregnant woman and mother to practice the behaviours being recommended.
8 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Chapter

The programme
2.1 Objectives

2.1.1 To sensitize and create awareness among pregnant women and mothers
of children up to 2 years of age and their key influencers on key health,
nutrition and child care practices in order to strengthen positive
practices related to survival, growth and development of children;

2.1.2 To create awareness about the benefits available to pregnant women

and lactating mothers (PW & LM) under PMMVY and JSY;

2.1.3 To improve health seeking behaviour among the pregnant women (PW)
and lactating mothers (LM);

2.1.4 To enhance community participation in promoting good nutrition and

health behaviours.

2.2 Target beneficiaries

2.2.1 Target group: Caregivers viz., mothers, and family members including
fathers, grand-parents and older siblings.

2.2.2 Community representatives: Community leaders, religious leaders, PRI

members, SHG members, VHSNC members.

2.2.3 Facilitators/Resource Persons: AWW, ASHA, ANM and ICDS Supervisors

 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 9

Chapter

Operational guidelines for

organising community-based
events
This operational guideline is provided to organise the event in a systematic manner across all AWCs.
This may be suitably adapted by the States to the local and cultural context. It provides a forum
wherein community support can be mobilised to motivate and enable pregnant women and mothers
to practice the behaviour being recommended.

3.1 Number of participants

The number of participants in the event may be kept within 10-20 persons to ensure effective
organisation and management of the event.

ĥĥ Extra care may be taken to include members of the marginalised families (SC/ST).

3.2 Periodicity, venue and duration

ĥĥ Any one event based on the themes given may be organised in a month on a fixed day of
the week.
ĥĥ However, if need be, two different events may also be organised in a month preferably on
two different days.
ĥĥ If at one Anganwadi the number of participants is less, two Anganwadis can jointly
organise the event.
ĥĥ The Suposhan Diwas may be organized once a quarter in collaboration with the panchayat.
ĥĥ Venue can be preferably at the Anganwadi Centre or any other place available in the
community such as Mahila Mandal Bhawan, Panchayat Ghar/Bhawan, Choupal etc.
ĥĥ Duration can be one hour to one and a half hour with flexible timing, convenient for the
community to participate.
10 POSHAN Abhiyaan

3.3 Providing name to the event

The events may be given special names as done in the States of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
as Mangal Diwas and Mamata Diwas respectively.

3.4 Planning
1 Prior preparations (at least 2-3 days in advance)
• List all pregnant women/mothers of children less than 2 years of age in the
community

• Invite all listed pregnant women, mothers of children less than 2 years of age in the
community, their husbands and mothers-in-law

• AWW, ASHA, ANM and ICDS Supervisor as facilitators/resource person

Also invite:

• PRI members, community leaders, VHSNC members

• Members of SHGs and other local committee/women
• Adolescent girls
• Posters, flipcharts or other visual aids relevant to the event may be displayed in the
AWC
2 Preparation on the day of the event
• Clean the AWC/or place of event and ensure adequate space for participants
• Arrange and keep the following ready:

»» Functional weighing scale

»» Contact details of ambulance services
»» IFA tablets
»» Diverse food samples (vegetables and fruits, pulses, cereal, millets) if available, for
demonstration

»» Relevant IEC material for counseling

»» Mat for sitting and safe drinking water
»» Tea and refreshments for the participants
»» Read through the guidance of key messages to be delivered during the event to
refresh memory

3 Key activities during the event

• Welcome all participants
• Bless the pregnant women and their families for a safe pregnancy (perform relevant
traditional ritual) if the event is around maternal nutrition, and bless the child if the
event is around complementary feeding
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 11

• Explain the reasons for celebrating this event and communicate key messages that the
women and family members need to remember and practice

• Provide package of contact details of ambulance services, IFA tablets, if the event is
focused on maternal nutrition

• Carry out food demonstration if the event is focused on complementary feeding

• Weigh and record the weight of all pregnant women; weigh and record the weight of all
children

• Show CAS videos related to the theme

4 Engaging participants
• Ask the target women and their families if they recall the messages provided
• Advise the husbands and mothers-in-law on their specific roles in supporting the
women in practicing the recommended behaviours
5 Wrap up
• Seek commitment from participants to follow the advice
• Inform participants about the next celebratory event
• Take attendance and record in relevant register/format
• Close the event with traditional song and offer tea/snacks to participants
6 Remember to follow up in the next week
• Visit the pregnant women and lactating mothers at their homes the following week to
reinforce the messages and ascertain if the advice is being followed

3.5 Financial provision

ĥĥ An amount of INR 250/- per event has been kept for this activity
ĥĥ States may ensure giving flexibility in utilising this amount by the AWWs
ĥĥ The item-wise expenditure may likely vary from event to event
ĥĥ Resources may also be mobilised from panchayat/local bodies in meeting expenditures
towards specific items as may be required for organising the events

Table 1: Indicative Distribution of Amount Indicative Items

Cost in Rs.
Expenditure towards items needed related to the Rs. 100.00
rituals of the event
Refreshments —tea/snacks Rs. 125.00
Any other incidental cost Rs. 25.00
Total Rs. 250.00
12 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Chapter

Themes for community-based events

The primary focus of the community-based events is to take advantage of traditional celebrations of
milestones in the mother or a child’s life beginning with conception, prenatal, neonatal and the first
two years. Use these as opportunities to promote the adoption of positive behaviour. The themes
under community-based events are associated with maternal, newborn/children health and nutrition.

4.1 Inviting women during the first/second trimester of pregnancy

Objective
4.1.1

ÎÎ To advise the pregnant women and key members of her family on nutrition and
health care practices important for a safe pregnancy
ÎÎ To provide information on health and ICDS services available for her to access
ÎÎ To create a supportive environment by sensitizing her immediate family and friends on the
need for care during pregnancy
ÎÎ To create awareness regarding PMMVY & JSY scheme and the benefits available under
this scheme to them.

4.1.2 Primary target group

ÎÎ Women in their 3rd or 4th month of pregnancy who have registered their pregnancy at
the AWC
ÎÎ Husband and mother-in-law of the pregnant woman

Additional participants

ÎÎ Care takers within the family: sisters sister-in-law, aunts, senior ladies with experience of
motherhood
ÎÎ Members of women’s groups
ÎÎ ANM, ASHA
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 13

4.1.3 Key messages to be conveyed during the event

Cash benefits available under PMMVY & JSY programme

ÎÎ Explain about maternity benefits available under PMMVY for the first child in the family
and incentive available under JSY for this programme
ÎÎ Cash incentives are provided in three installment i.e., first installment of INR 1000/- on
early registration of pregnancy at AWC; second installment of INR 2000/- after six months
of pregnancy on receiving at least one ante-natal checkup; third installment of INR 2000/-
after child birth is registered and the child has received the 1st cycle of BG, OPV, DPT and
Hepatitis-B, or its equivalent/substitute
ÎÎ The eligible beneficiaries would receive the remaining cash incentive as per approved
norms towards the maternity benefit under JSY after institutional delivery so than on an
average, a pregnant women gets INR 6000

The importance of the mother child protection (MCP) card

ÎÎ MCP card is a recording and counseling card for pregnant, post partum women and
under-five children
ÎÎ It provides information on various types of services delivered through ICDS and NRHM,
which the family can access for the growth and development of their children and health
of the mothers
ÎÎ It also outlines health and nutrition care practices for achieving good health for the mother
and her child
ÎÎ Beneficiaries should keep the card safely, and bring it along whenever they visit the AWC,
sub-center, health center, private doctor and/or a hospital
ÎÎ Beneficiaries should ask AWW/ANM/ASHA to fill the card after availing the services, to
keep their health information update, which remains with them and they are aware what
action is due next

The need for Ante-natal care (ANC) checkups, what they entail and why they are
important

Take the target group (pregnant women of 1st and 2nd trimester) through the ANC sections in
the MCP card, pointing out that they should:

ÎÎ Have at least three ANCs after registration, ensure their BP is checked, blood and urine
examined in each visit and their weight monitored
ÎÎ Be aware that proper antenatal check-ups provide necessary care to the mother and
helps identify any complications of pregnancy such as anaemia, hypertension etc. in the
mother and slow/inadequate growth of the foetus. It allows for the timely management of
complications through referral to an appropriate facility for further treatment
ÎÎ Be aware on the importance of weight monitoring during pregnancy. Advice and
encourage them for Institution Delivery.
14 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Awareness about obstetric complications: their recognition and response

Additional care needs to be taken by the woman during pregnancy. Specifically, she and her
family members need to monitor for any danger signs that indicate the need for a hospital/
doctor’s visit. These danger signs include:

ÎÎ Bleeding during pregnancy or excessive bleeding during or after pregnancy

ÎÎ High fever during pregnancy
ÎÎ Severe anaemia with or without breathlessness
ÎÎ Headache, blurring of vision, swelling all over the body
ÎÎ Fits/convulsions or unconsciousness
ÎÎ Bursting of water bag without labour pain
ÎÎ Labour pain for more than 12 hours

Ensure consumption of one IFA tablet per day after meal during pregnancy (atleast
100 IFA tablets)

Why it is important

ÎÎ Anaemia affects the optimal growth and development of the baby as it reduces the iron
stored in the baby.
ÎÎ Severe anaemia during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal/ prenatal mortality.
ÎÎ IFA supplements prevent anaemia in the mother and the baby. It will not harm the mother
or baby in any way.
ÎÎ Pregnant women should take one tablet per day for at least 100 days.
ÎÎ Black stools, stomach upset, constipation and diarrhoea are potential side effects of IFA
consumption. However, these effects are not serious and should subside in a few days.
Taking IFA after food and drinking more water is essential.
ÎÎ Pregnant and lactating Women should avoid drinking tea/coffee minimum 1 hour before or
after consuming IFA. Eating fruits rich in vitamin c such as lemon, orange, guava improves
absorption of iron in the body.

Ensuring timely immunization of Tetanus Toxoid and deworming

ÎÎ Take 2 TT injections, one when the pregnancy is confirmed and the other after one month
ÎÎ Between the 4th and 6th month of pregnancy, the pregnant woman should take Albendazol
tablet (deworming tablets) to ward off diseases caused by soil-borne worms, which cause
anaemia and malnutrition.

Taking calcium tablets

ÎÎ Take calcium tablets from the 4th month of pregnancy and continue taking the tablets until
the newborn turns 6 months old.
ÎÎ Do not take calcium tablets on an empty stomach as it may cause gastric problem.
ÎÎ Do not take IFA and calcium tablets together.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 15

Use of iodized salt

ĥĥ Iodine is essential for normal growth and development in children and prevents cognitive
disabilities. In adults it prevents goitre. Use only iodised salt for all cooking and eating.

Eating nutritive diet and healthy food

ÎÎ Eating a healthy and nutritious diet during pregnancy is important to meet the needs of
the growing foetus and to facilitate successful lactation.
ÎÎ Eat all items that are available or cooked at home, which everyone else consumes. There
is no need to avoid eating any item.
ÎÎ You need to eat enough for yourself and your baby, who is growing. It may be difficult to
eat much in one meal, so have many small meals.
ÎÎ Eat a variety of foods such as fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, milk and milk products,
pulses, cereals, millets, etc. Households that are non-vegetarian may continue food items
that are good source of high-quality protein, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
ÎÎ Do not do heavy work in the remaining months such as lifting heavy loads (carrying water
or laborious paid work) but remain active doing light work that does not tire you out.
When tired, take enough rest.

Weight gain during pregnancy

ÎÎ Weight should increase by at least 10 to 12 kg during pregnancy. In the last 6 months of

pregnancy, weight should increase by at least 1 kg per month. It is important to monitor
this and get weight taken during each ANC.

4.2 Annaprasan Diwas

4.2.1 Objective

ÎÎ To create awareness among the family and the community about the initiation of
complementary food
ÎÎ To educate the mothers and family members about locally available nutritious food for
young children
ÎÎ To foster supportive responsibility among the family members and the community in the
process of transition from mother’s milk to semi-solid and later solid diets
ÎÎ To ensure complementary feeding is initiated for all the infants who have completed 6
months of age

4.2.2 Primary target group and key additional participants

ÎÎ Women with infants in the age group of 4-9 months

ÎÎ All infants who have completed 6 months
ÎÎ Care takers within the family such as grandfather, grandmother, father or elder brothers/
sisters of all participating infants
*Ask the primary target group to get home-cooked food (dal, chawal or khichdi)
16 POSHAN Abhiyaan

ÎÎ Other beneficiaries and members of women’s groups

ÎÎ Community leaders
ÎÎ AWW and ASHA as facilitator

4.2.3 Key messages to be conveyed during the event:

Importance of complementary feeding

ÎÎ The first 2 years of a child’s life is a period of speedy physical and mental growth. Lack of
proper care of the child during this period can affect the child’s development and increase
the likelihood of malnutrition.
ÎÎ Once the child reaches six months of age, breastmilk is not enough to meet her/his
nutritional needs and semi-solid foods need to be introduced in her/his diet.

Demonstration of complementary feeding

ÎÎ Demonstrate the preparation and feeding of complimentary foods using food already
Cooked at home, and using as many different items as available. Ask participants to bring
food they have cooked for the day.
ÎÎ Demonstrate how to wash hands with soap before touching the food or feeding the child.
Encourage washing the hands of the child as well. Show how different foods can be mixed
into a soft paste or semi-solid consistency.
ÎÎ Demonstrate how taste can be varied by the use of salt, sugar, oil, ghee and vegetables,
and how to use sugar sparingly.
ÎÎ Demonstrate using a katori, age-specific quantities of food required in addition to
breastmilk.
ÎÎ Demonstrate responsive feeding, how to look for signs of hunger, how not to force-feed a
child.
ÎÎ Demonstrate how to use a clean spoon to feed, how much to feed at one time, what to do
if the child seems to spit out the food.
ÎÎ Emphasize the need to be patient and to feed the child when he/she is interested, rather
than at a fixed time.
ÎÎ Emphasize that anyone at home can and should feed the child because it is so important
for the child and so time-consuming that the mother alone can never cope with doing all
household chores on her own, as well as feeding the child.
ÎÎ Ask mothers of children who have already started giving complementary feeding to
narrate their experiences and offer their suggestions to those who are starting to feed.
ÎÎ Demonstrate how not to use the sari pallu for wiping hands or utensils (bowl, spoon, etc.),
explain how dirty it is.
ÎÎ Talk about how dirty our hands get from many activities, and that the hands are the main
sources of contamination of food and water.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 17

Quantity of complementary food and responsive feeding

ÎÎ At 6-8 months, 2-3 meals a day; 2 katoris*(small katori that can hold 100 ml of water)
ÎÎ At 9-11 months, 3-4 meals a day; 3 katoris*
ÎÎ At 12-23 months, 3-4 meals a day; with snacks 4-6 katoris*
ÎÎ Mothers and caregivers should feed the child in a responsive manner, that is, be
responsive to the child, look for clues for hunger and encourage the child to eat through
active engagement and stimulation.
ÎÎ Increase the quantities of complementary food being fed after illness until the child
regains lost weight and strength.

Variety and texture of complementary food

ÎÎ Start with soft, well-cooked and mashed foods (but never liquid or watery foods like daal-
ka-paani) and make the consistency more solid as the child gets used to eating.
ÎÎ Start with available cereal-dal mix without masala, and add other available food items,
making sure they are well-cooked.
ÎÎ Foods that are most nutritious for the child include milk (with cream), dahi, dal, oil/ghee,
green and yellow-orange vegetables, fruits and nuts. There is no need to avoid giving any
of these foods at this age – the child requires as much of these as possible to grow well.

Reiterate the need for ensuring cleanliness in cooking, serving and preserving
complementary food meals

ÎÎ Cleanliness, that is, personal hygiene and hygienic preparation and storage of
complementary foods is critical. If not observed, it may do more harm than good to the
child by introducing infections in the child.
ÎÎ Foods should therefore be prepared and given in a safe manner. Measures, such as
washing the bowl and spoon used to serve the food, washing hands before cooking and
feeding the child, washing the hands of the child before feeding her/him, covering the
bowl of food if the child is not eating immediately should be taken to minimize the risk of
contamination of foods with germs.

Continuation of breastfeeding:

ÎÎ It is important for the mother to continue breastfeeding the child while giving adequate
complementary food. The child gets critical nutrients, energy, high-quality protein, and
anti-infective properties from breastfeeding in addition to emotional comfort, which is
much needed for the optimum development of the child.
ÎÎ As the child starts taking complementary foods well, the child should be breastfed first and
then provided complementary food. This will ensure lactation.
18 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Importance of regular growth monitoring

ÎÎ It is important to monitor the weight and height/length of the child, especially in the first
two years of life. This will tell you if the child is growing well and to its full potential
ÎÎ You should track your child’s weight on your MCP card
ÎÎ You should also measure your child’s height/length and remember that your child should
grow about 24 centimeters in the first year of life, and 12 centimeters more in the second
year

4.3 Suposhan Diwas (Specifically focused on orienting husbands)

4.3.1 Objective

ÎÎ To create awareness and educate husbands about the relevance of maternal and child
nutrition
ÎÎ To foster supportive responsibility among men in the family to ensure the practice of
recommended maternal, infant and young child behaviours at home

4.3.2. Primary target group

ÎÎ Husbands of pregnant woman and fathers of children less than 2 years of age
Key additional participants:

ÎÎ Other beneficiaries and members of women’s groups

ÎÎ Community leaders
ÎÎ AWW and ASHA as facilitators

4.3.3 Key messages to be conveyed during the event

Eating nutritive diet and healthy food

ÎÎ Eating a healthy and nutritious diet during pregnancy is important to meet the needs of
the growing foetus.
ÎÎ Women should eat all items that are available or cooked at home, which everyone else
consumes. There is no need to avoid eating any item. It may be difficult to eat much in one
meal, so have many small meals.
ÎÎ Eat a variety of foods; such as fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, milk and milk
products, Pulses, cereals, millets etc. Households that are non-vegetarian may continue
food items that are good source of high-quality protein, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
ÎÎ Women should not do heavy work during pregnancy, such as lifting heavy loads (carrying
water or laborious paid work) but remain active doing light work that does not tire them
out. When tired, they should take enough rest.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 19

The need for ante-natal care (ANC) checkups for women, what they entail and why
they are important

ÎÎ Take the target group through the ANC sections in the MCP card, pointing out that they
should have atleast 3 ANCs after registration, ensure their BP is checked, blood and urine
examined in each visit and weight monitored
ÎÎ Point out that proper antenatal check-ups provide necessary care to the mother and
helps identify any complications of pregnancy such as anaemia, hypertension etc. in the
mother and slow/inadequate growth of the foetus. It allows for timely management of
complications through referral to an appropriate facility for further treatment
ÎÎ Highlight the importance of weight monitoring during pregnancy

Consumption of one IFA tablet a day during pregnancy (at least 100 IFA tablets) and
why it is important

ÎÎ Anaemia affects the optimal growth and development of the baby as it reduces the iron
stores in the baby.
ÎÎ Severe anaemia during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal mortality.
ÎÎ IFA supplements prevent anaemia and therefore are good for the health of the mother and
baby. It will not harm the mother or baby in any way.
ÎÎ Pregnant women should take one tablet per day for at least 100 days, starting as early as
possible in pregnancy.
ÎÎ Some women may feel nauseous or get black stools, stomach upset, constipation and
diarrhoea on IFA consumption. However, these effects are not serious and should subside
in a few days. Drinking more water will overcome constipation problem and darkening of
the stool is a common thing, there is no need to panic.
ÎÎ Women should take IFA at night with food; and should avoid drinking tea either before
or after consuming IFA. Eating citrus fruits (lemon/orange) during dinner will also allows
proper assimilation of IFA in the body.

Weight gain during pregnancy

ÎÎ Weight should increase by at least 10 to 12 kg during pregnancy. In the last 6 months of

pregnancy, weight should increase by at least 1 kg per month. It is important to monitor
this and get weight taken during each ANC.

Importance of regular growth monitoring

ÎÎ It is important to monitor the weight and height/length of the child, especially in the first
two years of life. This will tell you if the child is growing well and to its full potential.
ÎÎ Remember that your child should grow about 24 centimeters in the first year of life, and 12
centimeters more in the second year.
20 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Importance of complementary feeding

ÎÎ The first two years of a child’s life is a period of speedy physical and mental growth.
Lack of proper care of the child during this period can affect the child’s development and
increase the likelihood of malnutrition.
ÎÎ Once the child reaches six months of age, breastmilk is not enough to meet her/his
nutritional needs and semi-solid foods need to be introduced in her/his diet.

Quantity of complimentary food and responsive feeding

ÎÎ At 6-8 months: 2-3 meals a day, 2 katoris*(small katori that can hold 100 ml of water)
ÎÎ At 9-11 months: 3-4 meals a day, 3 katoris*
ÎÎ At 12-23 months: 3-4 meals a day, with snacks 4-6 katoris*
ÎÎ Mothers and caregivers should feed the child in a responsive manner. That is be
responsive to the child, look for clues for hunger and encourage the child to eat through
active engagement and stimulation.
ÎÎ Increase the quantities of complementary food being fed after illness until the child
regains lost weight and strength.

4.4. Celebrating coming of age – getting ready for preschool at AWC

ÎÎ One important milestone in a child’s life is the beginning of the preschool year, when
he/she leaves home for her/his first experience of institutional care and learning.
ÎÎ To celebrate this event, it is proposed to organise a celebration for all children turning
three years of age who will start attending preschool sessions at the AWC.
ÎÎ The event will include an assessment of the child’s attainment of major developmental
milestones (cognitive, motor and socio-emotional), as detailed out in the MCP card.
ÎÎ The child will be given a gift which may include items such as crayons, painting book,
picture book and other play materials/toys.
ÎÎ Additionally, the child’s weight will be recorded and medical check-up done to update her/
his records at the AWC. Information will also be provided to the mother, and other.

4.4.1 Objectives

ÎÎ Generating awareness about the importance of early years and ECCE among the
community and families;
ÎÎ Counselling family members of the role they can play to promote the psychosocial
development of the child;
ÎÎ Preparing the child to be ready to participate and avail ECCE services at the AWC;
ÎÎ Sensitizing the community to participate in AWC and support its activities and educate
household members about the importance of early childhood care and education (ECCE)
and stimulation for the optimal growth of the child.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 21

4.4.2 Participants

ÎÎ Children of 3 years of age

ÎÎ Mothers of all children in the age group of 2-3 years
ÎÎ Caregivers within the family such as grandfather, grandmother, father or elder brothers/
sisters of all such children

4.4.3 Key messages to be conveyed

ÎÎ Balanced nutritional supplementary food for the optimal growth of the child
ÎÎ Encouraging independence – self-dressing up, toilet training and self-feeding.

4.5 Messages related to public health for improvement of nutrition and to reduce
illness
Messages related to public health will be organized if AWW does not have any pregnant
women/lactating mother in any month in her area.

4.5.1 Objective :

ÎÎ To create awareness and importance of public health to reduce decease

4.5.2 Primary target group :

ÎÎ Women and men of any age group

ÎÎ Community leaders and PRIs
ÎÎ Adolescent Girls

4.5.3 Key messages to be conveyed during the event:

Hand washing
ÎÎ Explain the importance of hand washing to reduce illness
ÎÎ Eliminating germs and reducing illness
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick
and spreading germs to others

ÎÎ Less time off work and school

Thousands of schools and work days are missed every year due to avoidable illness, such
as flu or pneumonia that could be prevented through hand washing.

ÎÎ Reduced medical bills

When children come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become sick simply
by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Once they are infected it is only a matter of time
before the entire family comes down with the same illness, leading to many visits to the
doctor and spending money on medical bills.
22 POSHAN Abhiyaan

When to wash hands

ÎÎ Before eating and cooking
ÎÎ After using the bathroom
ÎÎ After cleaning anything
ÎÎ After touching animals, including family pets
ÎÎ Before and after visiting sick people
ÎÎ After being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)
ÎÎ After blowing your (or someone else’s) nose, coughing or sneezing. (Remember when you
cough or sneeze, not to do it into your hand but to rather use a tissue or raise your arm up
to your face and aim for your sleeve.) Throw away tissues after you use them.)

Steps/technique of hand washing

ÎÎ Wet your hands with running water — either warm or cold
ÎÎ Apply bar or powder soap
ÎÎ Lather well
ÎÎ Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds
ÎÎ Rinse well
ÎÎ Turn off your elbow

WASH: Explain the importance of WASH to the audience

ÎÎ Clean drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation play an important part in maintaining health.
ÎÎ Access to safe drinking water and sanitation are vital for family well-being.
ÎÎ It results in control of diseases, and boosts the child’s and every one’s health.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 23

Maintain hygiene at home and public places

ÎÎ During the cold and flu season, coughing and sneezing spreads diseases. To reduce the
spread, carry handkerchief / tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes. Dispose
off tissues or clean the handkerchief as soon as possible
ÎÎ Routine cleaning sites and surfaces of kitchen,
ÎÎ Washing of fruits and vegetables before consumption,
ÎÎ Routine cleaning of toilet seats and handles, door and tap handles, work surfaces,
bathroom
ÎÎ Personal hygiene(washing scalp/hair, wearing clean clothing, brushing teeth, cutting
finger nails, besides other practices) and washing hands before meals and after using
the toilet
ÎÎ Water stagnation and garbage-free surroundings should be ensured in villages/towns.

Deworming
ÎÎ Importance of giving medicine for deworming
Anaemia during pregnancy is a public health problem with long term implications for both
mother and child. Worm infections can cause anaemia, malnourishment, impaired mental and
physical development; and may cause a serious threat to children’s health, education, and
productivity. The worms feed on body organs including blood to cause anaemia. They also
cause a deficiency of Vitamin A. They cause loss of appetite, thereby leading to -

ÎÎ Reduced food intake

ÎÎ Physical growth and development are affected
ÎÎ Mental development is hampered
ÎÎ Educational advancement is limited
ÎÎ Whipworm causes diarrhoea and dysentery
Advice: To prevent these, pregnant women should consult to doctor in PHC/CHC or AWW/
ANM for deworming tablets
24 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Chapter

Reports, forms, monitoring

and evaluation
The monitoring will be done through formats and dashboard status. The following reporting formats
are developed for monitoring & evaluation.

1 Reporting of each event to be submitted by AWW to Supervisor [Annexure-I]

2 Quarterly Progress Report is to be submitted by Supervisor to CDPO [Annexure-II]

5.1 General instruction

For field worker

5.1.1

ÎÎ The AWW will keep a record of events held, with dates, name of beneficiary(s) for whom
the event was organised, number of participants and theme covered in events as per
Annexure I and a copy of the same shall also be submitted to the Supervisor.
ÎÎ Based on the receipt of report from AWCs, Supervisor shall submit quarterly report to CDPO.
ÎÎ In case the details are submitted through ICDS-CAS, the submission of physical report is
not required.
ÎÎ While filling up the information, they have to click the photo of the event also.

5.1.2 For Supervisor/CDPO

ÎÎ Supervisor will oversee these records and ensure that AWW has provided necessary
inputs as follow-up to the eligible beneficiaries, during their home visits.
ÎÎ All the supervisors will fill the quarterly form given as Annexure II and submit to the CDPO
office. Where the ICT-CAS has been rolled out, this information will be auto-generated on
the supervisory dashboard.
ÎÎ Consolidated number of events celebrated in each AWC per sector per month will be kept
as record at the CDPO Office for quarterly reporting to the districts/ SPMU in a prescribed
format. Where the ICT-CAS is rolled out, this information will be auto-generated on the
supervisory dashboard.
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 25

5.1.3 Roles and responsibility

ÎÎ Monitoring and review of the community-based events shall be done by MWCD POSHAN
Abhiyaan unit and State ICDS Directorates through the ICT-CAS Dashboard.
ÎÎ All the States, government shall ensure transfer of money to AWWs for conducting events.
ÎÎ All Collectors, DPOs, CDPOs and Anganwadi Services Supervisors in the State/UT shall
monitor the number of events organized at each AWW center by reviewing quarterly
reporting formats. In districts where ICT-CAS has been rolled out, this may be reviewed on
the supervisory dashboard. All the supervisors shall collect the monthly progress forms
from the AWWs.
26 POSHAN Abhiyaan

Annexure

Format for reporting

event (submitted
by AWW to
Supervisor)
POSHAN Abhiyaan
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 27

Annexure I
Community-based events – Monthly progress report
1. Basic details:

Name of the Anganwadi Centre:

AWC Code: Date of the event:
Name of the event:
Target group:
(Beneficiaries for whom CBE
organized)
Total no of participants: Amount incurred:

2. Participants (Attendance):

Sl. Month of pregnancy/

Category (tick in relevant box)
No Age of child
PW [ ]; Girl [ ]; Boy [ ]
PW [ ]; Girl [ ]; Boy [ ]
PW [ ]; Girl [ ]; Boy [ ]
PW [ ]; Girl [ ]; Boy [ ]
PW [ ]; Girl [ ]; Boy [ ]

Sl. No Other Participants Category (tick in relevant box)

PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]
PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]
PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]
PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]
PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]
PW [ ]; LM [ ]; Husband/Father of target beneficiary[ ]; Mother in
Law of Target Beneficiary [ ]; Others [ ]

Date:

Name of the Anganwadi Worker: Signature

 28
S.No

Date:
District

Quarter:

Districts:
Total operational AWCs
POSHAN Abhiyaan

Total

Signature with seal

No. of
AWCs

Diwas
where
CBEs were

Panjikaran
conducted
in the past
month

Annaprasana
Diwas
Number of AWCs:

Suposhan
Name of the State/UT:

No. of target beneficiaries

(women) participated in
Annexure II

the event
No. of target beneficiaries
(children) participated in
the event
No. of husbands of
target beneficiaries who
participated in the event
No. of husbands of
target beneficiaries who
participated in the event
No. of other community
members who participated
in the event
Community-based events–Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)
 Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 29

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30 POSHAN Abhiyaan

NOTES

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Guidelines For Community Based Events (CBE) 31
32 POSHAN Abhiyaan