Assessment of Knowledge of ASHAs about RCH Services in Rural Area

Tandale S. R., Bhise M. D., Telange D. S., Surwade J. B. and Tandale D.V., Bhise M. D., Telange D. S., Surwade J. B. and Tandale D.V.

Background: The National Rural Health Mission was launched in year 2005 to improve rural health care delivery system. One of the key initiatives was to appoint accredited Social health Activist (ASHA) to bridge the gap in rural healthcare. ASHAs are being selected from the local community by the health department. Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) is the most important programme under NRHM. Thus the present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of ASHAs about RCH services provided by them in rural area. Objectives: Assess the knowledge of ASHAs about RCH services. Material and methods: There are total ten blocks in Latur district. Out of each blocks one PHC was selected randomly for the study. All the trained ASHAs working under the selected PHC were enrolled in the study. Thus total 311 ASHAs were included in the study. A questionnaire was designed using induction training module used for ASHAs at their respective PHCs during the month of October 2013. Results: in this study showed that 49.2% ASHAs scored 25 -50% marks and 32.48% scored 50-75% marks. The mean score was 41.46 with SD 0.92. ASHAs from most of the blocks scored between 25-50% while ASHAs from two blocks (Renapur and Jalkot) scored 50-75%. It was observed that most of the ASHAs were in the age group of 25-30yrs (49.06%) followed by 31 -35 yrs. (33.02%)(X2 =8.42, df= 3, p<0.05). Majority of ASHAs were having educational qualification between 8th to 12th standard. Conclusion: The study revealed the training given to ASHA workers there is still lacunae left in their knowledge regarding various aspects and Frequency of quality training for ASHAs must be strengthened.