Evaluating the effectiveness of a structured training module in detecting children with developmental delays in a rural setting of Odisha ; A Cluster Randomized Trial

Developmental delay is when a child does not achieve his/her developmental milestones at the expected time. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was launched in february 2013 for early detection and management of 4Ds i.e. Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, Developmental Delays including Disabilities prevalent in children from 0 to 18 years of age.

RBSK doctors have huge work load and it is mandatory for them to visit each school atleast once in a year and AWCs atleast twice a year besides arranging for their follow up visits, various documentation and meetings etc. . It would be easier if certain children are already screened by FLWs between their visits that would allow quality time for high suspicion subjects. Since Anganwadi Workersare responsible for health status recording of children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age and helped by ASHAs in Village Health and Nutrition Day, these functionaries are ideally suited for screening of children with developmental delays.

In our study we would like to explore a strategy that would use these workers effectively in hope to detect children with Developmental Delays and make them available for advice of RBSK doctors.