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Evaluation of knowledge and skills of home based newborn care among Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)

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Abstract

Objectives

We assessed the knowledge level and skills of trained ASHAs in providing homebased newborn care.

Methods

100 ASHA 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 mannequins.

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. Large variability was observed in self–reported and field performance of ASHA workers.

Conclusions

Knowledge and skills of ASHA workers in this region were inadequate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India

    Satvik C. Bansal, Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar, Nikhil A. Shah & Rishi S. Shrivastav

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Central Research Services, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad, Gujarat, India

    Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar & Ajay G. Phatak

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad-Anand, Gujarat, 388 325, India

    Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar

Authors
  1. Satvik C. Bansal
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  2. Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar
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  3. Nikhil A. Shah
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  4. Rishi S. Shrivastav
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  5. Ajay G. Phatak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar.

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Bansal, S.C., Nimbalkar, S.M., Shah, N.A. et al. Evaluation of knowledge and skills of home based newborn care among Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA). Indian Pediatr 53, 689–691 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-016-0911-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-016-0911-3

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