Abstract: Background: An accredited social health activist (ASHA) is a community health worker instituted by the Govt. of India as a part of National Rural Health Mission. ASHA is a trained female community health activist selected from the same village meant to serve as a key communication mechanism between health care system and rural population.
Methods: To evaluate the knowledge of ASHA workers on Antenatal care. This study was conducted at Basohli Block of Kathua Distt (J&K) over 1 year. Information regarding antenatal care was collected from ASHA by interview techniques.
Results: Out of 92 ASHA workers 89(96.73%) believe in early registration of pregnant women to a nearby sub centre / PHC/ CHC before the third month of pregnancy. 84.78% believe in minimum of four antenatal visits.
All the ASHA workers 92(100%) were aware of two doses of injection tetanus toxide to be given to all the antenatal mothers but they were not aware of the dosage and schedule. Only 22 ASHA’s were aware of screening of HIV/HBsAg during pregnancy.
All the ASHA workers were aware of Iron& Folic tablets to be consumed by all the antenatal mothers.
Most of ASHA workers were lacking knowledge about dangerous sign of pregnancy. Most commonly known dangerous sign was vaginal bleeding cited by 67.39%. Other dangerous sign cited by ASHA workers were decreased fetal movements, convulsion and swelling feet.
Conclusions: It is evident from present study that majority of ASHA workers have good knowledge about antenatal care. Their knowledge on certain aspect of antenatal care was still poor especially regarding the danger sign of pregnancy.
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