Awareness regarding utilization of untied funds among the members of Village Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Committees (VHNSC) in selected villages of Wardha district

Abstract

Background:Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC); an initiative of National Rural Health Mission offers people opportunity to access the basic services: Health, Nutrition and Sanitation at the village level itself. To achieve the desired goal, VHNSC members must have a good knowledge regarding guidelines for utilization of funds.This study tried to assess the knowledge of the members of VHNSC regarding the allocation of fund and utilization of the untied fund as compared to the guidelines.Methodology:Â It is a cross sectional study carried out in 13 villages of Bhidi for a period of 2 months, August 2015 to September 2015. Convenient sampling was followed. All members of VHNSCs who gave consent were included in the study. Data analysis was done in the Epi info version 7.Results:In this present study majority of participants were Anganwadi workers (28.1%) followed by housewives (26.6%), with 85.9% members being female. 92.2% had some knowledge about utilization of fund and 70.3% had correct knowledge about the amount of fund received for VHNSC per annum. According to 71.9% fund was inadequate. 89.1% mentioned that fund utilization was mainly for nutrition purposes (89.1%), followed by referral to higher centre (59.4%), sanitation (39.1%). Main challenges faced were inadequate fund (57.8%), in coordination with President (25%), in coordination between members(23.4%), late receival of funds(12.5%), lack of interest of members(10.9%), no bank account (10.9%) etc. 84.4% members had no training.Conclusion:Study findings suggest that use of untied fund by VHNSCs is not as per the guidelines mainly due to limited awareness of guidelines among VHNSC members. Quality training for VHNSC members is the need.