Evaluation of knowledge and practice of ASHAs, regarding child health services in Vijyapaura District, Karnataka

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: NHM has created a cadre of trained female community health activists called Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to mobilize the community toward increased utilization of existing health services. ASHAs play an important role in the rollout of government health programs such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a conditional cash transfer scheme to incentivize women to give birth in a health facility. The ASHAs work closely with other frontline workers like Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Anganawadi Workers (AWWs) to conduct community-level activities. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 months. A pre-designed, semi- structured questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the study objectives. The questionnaire was prepared in English and the interview was conducted in Kannada language by explaining them questions one by one. Data collection was done by interview technique. RESULTS: Out of 617 ASHAs interviewed, 580 (94%) ASHAs had proper knowledge about exclusive breast feeding and the duration, 560 (90.7%) told colostrum was necessary to the baby. Only 323 (52.3%) ASHAs had correct knowledge regarding schedule of immunization. 580 (94%) ASHAs could tell when the weaning should be started correctly and 611 (99%) ASHAs knew about ORS packets and the steps that went in preparing it. CONCLUSION: Generally, knowledge of ASHAs about care of new-born and child health care was considerably good. However, knowledge of ASHAs about the immunization schedule was found to be inadequate.