Factors Associated with Accessing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme Among Women in Rural Rajasthan, India

The purpose of this study was to assess the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme centre usage among women in rural Rajasthan and characteristics of households accessing these centres. The findings suggest that in rural Rajasthan, the majority of individuals access ICDS centres, especially supplementary food services. While supplementary food services can be effective in reducing childhood undernutrition, ICDS services in this region may consider increasing focus on other cost-effective and underutilized services, including breastfeeding education. Interventions aiming to increase utilization of ICDS centres in this region may find it beneficial to increase female participation in health care decisions, likely through improved spousal communication and gender relations, as well as increasing use of services such as breastfeeding support.