Knowledge, attitude and practices study among accredited social health activists (ASHAS) after module based training in rural India

Pages: 901-903
Vijay Silan, Karthik L. Balajee and Archana S. (Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi)
Suneel Rohilla and Anuj Sihan (Demonstrator, Department of Biochemistry BPS GMC, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat)
Sat Pal (Department of Physiology, PGIMS, Rohtak)

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) provided the accredited social health activist (ASHA), a trained female health activist, from the community for the community. Although guidelines emphasized the training of 23 hours in which must be completed in five schedules, however, learning the new skills by ASHA is a continuous process. The current cross sectional study was conducted among the 60 ASHAs in Panipat district of Haryana state to assess the existing knowledge level after undergone module based training. Half of the ASHAs were working for more than five years. The training for the six assigned modules was availed by 88.0% of the ASHAs. The knowledge level reported in the current study was very high for the diarrheal disease (88%), breast feeding (65%), pre-lacteal feed (70%), Immunization (80%). We also collected data on the gender issues those were being perceived by ASHAs and this kind of point of view of community volunteers has not been reported. The module based trainings helped in improving knowledge and skills of ASHAs. There is need to improve the knowledge of ASHA s about gender related issue and they may be a better medium to improve the knowledge of the women in community.