ABSTRACT
Background: The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program is technically known as Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services. The main purpose of the program is to detect and manage 4Ds which are prevalent in children. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of ASHA workers as well as anganwadi workers about the RBSK in rural area of District Kathua using semi-structured questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the zone Budhi which is a field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Kathua. The zone consists of 24 villages with 18 ASHA workers and 35 anganwadi workers and one mobile RBSK team available at Community Health Center, Parole. After obtaining ethical clearance, all the ASHA workers and anganwadi workers were included in the study as they were willing to participate. Results: The present study revealed that majority of the workers were between the age group of 20–40 years. About 71.42% of the anganwadi workers were 12th pass and majority of the ASHA workers were 8th and 10th pass. Majority of the anganwadi workers received training related to RBSK program and knew about the benefits of the RBSK program. About 82.85% of the workers knew about the equipment used by RBSK team members for screening. Conclusion: Anganwadi workers and ASHAs need to be made aware of their perceptions and role in the program so that their efficiency is increased and the percentage of child morbidity and mortality can further be lowered.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme has been operational for more than three decades in India. Objective: To evaluate the various aspects of the ICDS program in terms of inputs, process and outcome (coverage), utilization, and issues related to the ICDS program. Methods: A total of 130 Anganwadi centers (AWCs) were selected including 95 AWCs from rural areas and 35 AWCs from urban areas from April 2012 to March 2015, from 12 districts of Gujarat and the union territory of Diu. Information was collected for infrastructure, baseline characteristics of AWWs, provision, coverage and utilization of various ICDS services, and various issues related to program operation. Results: A majority of pregnant (94.7%) and lactating (74.4%) mothers, and adolescent girls (86.6%) were availing ICDS services. In 96.9% of the AWCs, a growth chart was available and 92.3% AWWs were using it accurately. A total of 14.9% children were underweight including 13.5% moderately and 1.4% severely malnourished children. Two-third (66.2%) children were covered by supplementary nutrition (SN). Only 14.6% of the AWCs reported 100% preschool education (PSE) coverage among children. More than half (55.4%) of the AWCs reported an interruption in supply during the last 6 months. Various issues were reported by AWWs related to the ICDS. Conclusion: The study has reported gaps in terms of infrastructure facility, different trainings, coverage, supply, and provision of SN, status of PSE activities in AWCs, and provision of different services to the beneficiaries.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anganwadi workers (AWW) are India’s primary tool against the menace of child malnourishment, infant mortality, and lack of child education, community health. The anganwadi workers should have basic knowledge of treatment of minor ailment. So with this aim this study was planned to assess the existing knowledge regarding minor ailments of children among anganwadi workers problems and in curbing preventable diseases. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Community Medicine SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar. By adopting stratified random sampling technique, 5 AWW were selected per each training session. A pre- designed and pre-tested questionnaire prepared was used to collect information from AWW. Pre-test and post-test assessment to determine the knowledge of minor ailments among AWW was done. The data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS 20.0 version. Results: The study revealed that out of 135 AWW, 40% were in the age group of 25-45 years. Only 8.9% AWW were aware that a neonate should be referred in case he suffers from any of these conditions i.e. hypothermia, jaundice, fever. Awareness about newborn care practices was observed to increase with increase in education level. There was statistically significant improvement in the knowledge regarding minor ailments in post-test scores of AWWs. Conclusions: Anganwadi workers are India’s primary tool against the scourges of child malnourishment, infant mortality and curbing preventive diseases such as most minor ailments.
ABSTRACT
Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) acts as a „bridge‟ between the rural people and health service outlets and would play a central role, in achieving national health and population policy goals. In Jharkhand ASHA is known as “Sahiyya”. The present study was aimed to assess Sahiyyas in relation to antenatal services delivered by her in the field practice area Ormanjhi of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study. All Sahiyyas (26), women having children under 3 years of age (196), pregnant women (140), Anganwadi workers (AWWs) (16) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) (6) from the study area were recruited for the study. Assessment of antenatal services delivered by Sahiyyas was done based on interview with Sahiyyas which was then crosschecked through the responses of beneficiaries, AWWs and ANM. Results: All Sahiyyas in the study area were aware about her job responsibilities like help during registration and mobilization during pregnancy but when cross checked, 70.2% and 60.9% beneficiaries received help during registration and mobilization. Out of 336 beneficiaries, only 23.2% and 19.9% responded that were counselled by Sahiyyas on nutrition and adequate rest during pregnancy during their home visits. Conclusions: Sahiyyas were well aware of her responsibilities related to antenatal services like counselling mothers on diet, rest and other health advices through home visits but these jobs were not being done passionately by her as other incentive oriented jobs.