ANSH

(Adolescent Nutrition, Sanitation & Health) Project

Under the Mission Health of Glaxo SmithKline-Consumer Health (GSK-CH), the Adolescent Nutrition, Sanitation & Health (ANSH) project invests in improving nutritional status of 10-19 year olds (adolescent) girls and boys through evidence-based globally accepted interventions. The objectives of the project are aligned with those of the Government of India’s Poshan Abhiyaan i.e. to bring about a reduction in thinness (as per age specific Body Mass Index-BMI) and Iron deficiency anaemia (blood Haemoglobin) in the community.

The project is technically led by JSI R&T India Foundation and implemented in the field by the NGO SHARP, in one district each of Uttar Pradesh (Bahraich), Bihar (Gaya), Assam (Barpeta) and Madhya Pradesh (Vidisha). The four selected districts have poor nutrition and health status and are Aspirational districts of Niti Aayog.  

A 360-degree approach is being used to bring about a change in food related practices of the adolescents. We engage with the adolescents themselves, their parents and teachers, peer leaders and general community to improve their knowledge on balanced diet, dietary diversity, Iron-rich foods, deworming and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH). The project also works closely with the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) to improve uptake of Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) and with ICDS to improve reach of Take Home Rations (THR).  

Each of the states have teams of both partner agencies who work in close coordination to achieve the objectives of the project. Project activities are shared with local government representatives and shared on Government web portals as appropriate.

By the end of project, we hope to benefit 1,50,000 adolescents who reside in the project geographies. 

Project progress

Through interesting and innovative activities, we have touched upon the lives of 60,000 adolescents, interacated with 1592 families, 198 FLWs and  256 peer leaders. We are supporting 2058 undernourished adolescents improve their BMI by counseling them and their families on better diet and WASH practices. Further, we supported RKSK by strengthening Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics, organizing 72 Adolescent Health Days at 39 schools and 33 AWCs and 49 Adolescent Clubs at Anganwadis and streamlining the supply of Weekly Iron and Folid Acid supplementation.

ANSH introduced an innovative idea of a cartoon character called ‘ANSHika’ who is a model older adolescent girl. ANSHika corners have been installed in 30 schools and 20 AWCs to convey messages to adolescents in a lively manner. Another innovation is a ‘Soap Bank’ established in 11 schools where the nearby community contributes soap for use by school children.