Abstract
BACKGROUND: Currently Government of India is providing comprehensive integrated health care to the rural people under the umbrella of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). A village level community health worker “Accredited Social Health Activist” (ASHA)’ acts as an interface between the community and the public health system. OBJECTIVE: To assess the socio-demographic profile of ASHA workers and to evaluate their knowledge and practice of their responsibilities. SETTINGS & DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, Obedullaganj and Sanchi blocks of Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh. METHODS & MATERIAL: A cross-sectional study was conducted at obedullaganj and Sanchi in the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh for a period of 1 year from October 2007 to October 2008 The study participants were trained ASHA workers working in the Sanchi & Obedullaganj block. Statistical Analysis: Chi Square test using MS excel & SPSS ver 17. RESULT: Majority of ASHA workers were aware about helping in immunization, accompanying clients for delivery, providing ANC and family planning services as a part of responsibility. About 99% of ASHAs knew registration of births and deaths, assisting Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) in village health planning, creating awareness on basic sanitation and personal hygiene. CONCLUSION: Despite the training given to ASHAs, lacunae still exists in their knowledge regarding various aspects of child health morbidity. Monthly meetings can be used as a platform for the reinforcement of various aspects of child health. Periodical refresher training should be conducted for all of the recruited ASHA workers. In the future training sessions, more emphasis should be given to high risk cases requiring prompt referral.
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