A coordinated approach to children's health in India: progress report after five years (1975-1980).

The success of an experiment in a coordinated approach to children's health care in India in 33 community blocks led to its expansion to a national programme covering 150 community blocks by 1980. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme has also been successful as a national programme. Acceptance of immunisation and nutrition intervention schemes and improvement in nutritional status were significantly higher in the community served through the integrated approach than in the community receiving health, nutrition, and education services separately. Favourable impact of ICDS services was proportionally better in the first year than in the fourth year of the service. The Government of India has declared it a programme of national importance to expand and cover 913 of the 5011 community blocks and 87 urban slum areas by 1985.