Assessment of the Knowledge of Anganwadi Workers and Basic Functioning of Mobile Health Team of RBSK in Rural Area of Jubbal Block, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Vol-5 | Issue-05 | May-2018 | Published Online: 05 May 2018    PDF ( 337 KB )
Author(s)
Kunwar S 1; Bhagta M 2; Jaswal R 3; Patti A 4; Gupta NL 5; Chauhan HS 6

1MPH Scholar, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India

2MPH Scholar, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India

3MPH Scholar, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India

4Assistant Professor, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India

5Associate Professor & HoD, Psychology Department, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India

6Professor cum Head of Department, CPH & HA, EU, Center for Public Health & Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, India
Abstract

Background: Unequivocally, child health, early detection of illness or deficiency and its management initiative as envisioned with the launch of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK) in 2013 under National Rural Health Mission by the Govt. of India, as well as its evaluation of this programme are of paramount importance for the development of our nation. Specifically, the aim of this programme is early detection and management of the Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficient conditions & Developmental Delays (4Ds) in children of 0-18 years and the children below 6 years are screened in Anganwadi Centres
(AWCs) with the assistance of Mobile Health Team (MHT). Objectives: To assess the knowledge of Anganwadi workers about RBSK programme & basic functioning of MHT in Anganwadi Centres in rural area of Jubbal Block, Shimla HP. Method: A crosssectional study with telephonic interview method was used for data collection. Results: Less than half of the AWWs were between
31-40 years of age and almost the same were educated up to senior secondary level, but slightly more than half had 6-10 years work experience. Most of the AWWs (above 90 %) reflected poor knowledge; didn’t know name of RBSK and designation of MHT members, about 3/4 did not know benefits of the project. Almost all MHTs used 1-5 equipments out of 15 during screening. In about one tenth AWCs the screening was above 76 % but in less than half it was between 26-50%. In all AWCs only 0-10% cases were referred. The results indicated highly significant associations between presence of ASHA on screening day with no. of children screened, MHT prior information with timely information by AWWs to their beneficiaries and no. of visits in last year with knowledge. Significant association was found between time spend by MHT in AWCs with children screened. Conclusion: The knowledge of AWWs was found deficient regarding RBSK programme & MHT. Regarding functioning, three fourth MHT’s did not inform AWWs in time and percentage of screened & referred children were low. Conclusion: The knowledge of AWWs was found deficient regarding RBSK programme & MHT. Regarding functioning, three fourth MHT’s did not inform AWWs on time and percentage of screened & referred children were very low. Overall, functioning of the programme was very poor.
Keywords
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Anganwadi Worker, Anganwadi Centre, Mobile Health Team.
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