Prevalence of 4Ds among Population of below 18 years Screened under RBSK in Districts of Western Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) provides the Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services under National Rural Health Mission. RBSK was started for early detection and management of the 4Ds (Defects at birth, Diseases in Children, Deficiency conditions and Developmental Delays including Disabilities) prevalent in children aged below 18 years. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of 4Ds in RBSK screened children in western Madhya Pradesh. Western Madhya Pradesh comprises of almost 14 districts, out of which 2 districts Indore and Ujjain were selected randomly. Secondary data from RBSK programme manager of both the district was collected for analysis. Also semi structured interview was organised with the programme managers to assess the current services, strategies and outcomes of the programme. Children screened for 4Ds in the age group of 0-18 years were 66.19% and 61.5% of the total children in Indore and Ujjain districts respectively. The prevalence of birth defects among children screened was 2.48 and 1.56 per thousand in Indore and Ujjain districts respectively. The prevalence of deficiency disorders, childhood diseases and developmental delays and disabilities in Indore was 20.49, 28.92 and 34.13 per thousand respectively. Similarly in Ujjain it was 26.0, 44.76 and 9.89 per thousand respectively. Thus in spite high prevalence of childhood diseases, deficiency disorders and developmental delays almost 35% to 40% children left unscreened. This leads higher childhood morbidity and mortality and undue sufferings and delays in treatment and care to sufferers.