FMCH conducted a needs assessment in our communities in Jarimari, Kurla and Bhiwandi to understand the needs of the community and to cater to their needs so that we are able to hear from them their needs. Need assessment was done in these communities with the primary goal of identifying the persistent need of the community. Data was obtained by conducting telephonic interviews with FMCH beneficiaries.
Objectives of the Need Assessment:
• To understand the impact, mothers and their families are facing during the COVID-19 crisis
• To assess the need of the community and individual target groups (pregnant, lactating and mother of children) during and post the pandemic to overcome the changing and uncertain situations
Need Assessment questionnaire was designed to measure the discrepancy between current condition and required need of the community in order to plan appropriate intervention strategies as per the need of community.
Categories of question included:
1. Understanding the emotional shift during Lockdown
2. Knowledge of Community/respondent on COVID-19 infectious disease
3. Impact of Nutrition during the lockdown
4. Assess of the community to primary health services
5. Economic condition of the families
6. Expectations and need of the families during and post lockdown
7. Existing resources in terms of help that the families have access to
The results of this assessment showed most significant impact on food security and nutrition support followed by health and basic assistance required in primary health care and on the financial stability of the primary earning member of the family. Lack of employment has affected the purchasing power of essential goods and developed a state of fear and anxiety about financial stability in future. The Key finding of the assessment includes 64% families facing financial complication, 40% families stated an emotional shift towards stress and anxiety in house thereby affecting their mental health and 39% families have food insecurities which has led to major impact on health and nutrition. The most affected target groups in these communities are the pregnant mothers who have limited access to health services for their ante-natal check-ups and hospital delivery. Food and health services specifically to the pregnant mother are the most pressing needs of the community in the current situation.
To read more, please click the link here –
https://www.fmch-india.org/wp-content/uploads/FMCH_Needs-Assessment-During-Covid-19.pdf
