Assessment of Communitization through Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Status of the Members of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees

Abstract

Background: Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) is an important tool and measure of communitization and way of decentralization to plan & monitor health care down to the village level. Objective: To assess the communitization through knowledge, attitude & practices (KAP) status of its members. Material & Method: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted over the period of two years in all 13 blocks of Pune District in Maharashtra state. Data were collected using prestructured and pretested proforma from seven members per VHSNC. Qualitative data variables were expressed by using frequency & percentages. Quantitative data variables were expressed by Chi-square tests (95% CI). Results: Mean age of members was 40.77 ± 9.30 years. The majority of them, i.e., 76%, were females. The distribution of social categories shows that 20% of members were SCs/STs and 19% OBCs. The majority, i.e., 34%, were found to be educated up to secondary education. The mean KAP score of all members was documented to be 39.05, which indicated unsatisfactory communitization. KAP regarding VHSNCs was highest among Anganwadi Workers, followed by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, Multipurpose Workers, Sarpanchs, Accredited Social Health Activists, Gram Panchayat members, and others. A significant association was found between the KAPscore of members with their education, designation in VHSNC, and background. (p < 0.05) Conclusion: The Communitisation across the district, as indicated by the KAP score of members, was found to be unsatisfactory. Thus, efforts through the capacity-building program for the members of VHSNC will be beneficial.