The Efficiency of Anganwadi Centers Located in Rural Field Practice Area of a Medical College in North India: Data Envelopment Analysis

BACKGROUND: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was launched in 1975 for the improvement in maternal and child health and nutrition. The services under ICDS are implemented through Anganwadi centers (AWCs) and are delivered by Anganwadi workers (AWWs) at grassroots level. To evaluate the efficiency of all AWCs located in the field practice area of the medical college in North India, using data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the catchment area of rural health training center. Each of the 15 AWCs was considered a decision-making unit (DMU), and physical structure and logistics were included as input variables; and percentage of beneficiaries receiving supplementary nutrition and health checkups were included as output variables. DEA technique was used to calculate the efficiency score for each DMU with the help of DEAOS free online software. RESULTS: DMU 14(th) was found to be most efficient (100%) and DMU second was the least efficient (45%). DMU 13 and 14 demonstrated a level of performance that is superior to all other DMUs. DMU 13(th) and 14(th) were, therefore, considered 100% efficient. DEA analysis showed that total output increases and/or input reductions were required for making the inefficient DMUs efficient. CONCLUSION: Most of the AWCs were inefficient and an improvement in the infrastructure and logistics is likely to improve the efficiency of AWCs.