Evaluation of Knowledge and Skills of Home Based Newborn Care among Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA).

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the knowledge level and skills of trained ASHAs in providing home-based newborn Care.

METHODS

100 ASHAs from two talukas of Anand district of Gujarat participated. Knowledge was assessed using a structured questionnaire while certain skills were assessed through direct observation on mannequine.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) knowledge score of the participants was 16.7(3.16) out of 34. The skills were satisfactory in 52%, 61%, 43%, and 68% of ASHA workers for temperature measurement, hand washing, weight measurement and skin-to-skin care, respectively. Huge variability was observed in self reported field performance of ASHAs.

CONCLUSION

knowledge and skills of Asha works in this region were inadequate.