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Journal of Infectious Diseases and Treatment
ISSN: 2472-1093
7
t h
E u r o s c i c o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
Clinical Pathology
and Epidemiology
F e b r u a r y 2 7 - 2 8 , 2 0 1 9
P r a g u e , C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Clinical Pathology & Epidemiology 2019
Background:
India has a high burden of child undernutrition and 45% of childhood deaths can be attributed to malnutrition. The
National Health Mission (NHM) envisioned accredited social health activists (ASHA) as health activists in the community who
creates awareness on health and its social determinants. Under the Delhi State Health Mission, ASHAs are provided training on
child feeding practices and care as per ASHA modules.
Objectives:
To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of ASHAs in nutritional screening and nutrition care of children who
are under five years in urban poor settlements of Delhi.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 67 ASHA workers selected from four primary urban health centres
of South-east and South district of Delhi. Mixed method approach was used where quantitative data was collected using an
interviewer administered questionnaire and qualitative data was collected using an in-depth interview conducted with the medical
officer, auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) and focus group discussion with mothers of under-five children.
Results:
The overall attitude of ASHA was good regarding nutritional care and nutritional screening. 65% ASHAs had knowledge
of nutritional care and screening while 62% ASHAs practiced nutritional care and screening of under-five children and there was
a significant association between total practice and knowledge scores of ASHAs (p<0.00). The qualitative finding suggested
that although an adequate amount of training regarding infant and young child feeding and nutritional screening was provided to
ASHA worker, certain challenges and motivational factors influenced their practices.
Conclusion:
Present study shows that though ASHAs had the right attitude, their overall knowledge and practice level had gaps
regarding nutritional care and screening of under-five children. This is a crucial component as ASHAs are grassroots level
functionaries who are in close proximity to the community and have an important role in protection, promotion and support to the
nutrition of the children within the community
.
shikha.kukreti10@gmail.comKnowledge, attitude and practices of accredited
social health activists (ASHAS) in nutritional
screening and nutritional care of under-five age
children in urban poor settlements of Delhi
Shikha Kukreti
1, 2
, Suparna Ghosh Jerath
1
and Monika Rana
3
1
Indian Institute of Public Health-Delhi, India
2
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, India
3
Delhi State Health Mission, India
J Infec Dis Treat 2019, Volume: 5
DOI: 10.21767/2472-1093-C1-009