AWARENESS ABOUT BREAST-FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG ANGANWADI WORKERS AND ASHAS
Journal Title: Akshantala Journal of Research in Preventive and Social Medicine - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast-feeding is one of the most important determinants of child health and development, nutrition and survival. Grass root level links like AWW and ASHAs are the frontline workers in providing health education regarding child care, infant feeding and balanced nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers as well as women in reproductive age group. As part of World Breast-feeding Week observation it was decided to reinforce their knowledge. Objectives - To assess the knowledge and attitude of Anganwadi workers and ASHAs working under Valanchery block regarding breast-feeding practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nearly 50 workers attended the awareness program but only 46 participants responded completely to the questionnaire. There were 15 questions related to knowledge and 4 related to attitude. Each knowledge question was scored one hence making a total of 15. The answers related to attitude were coded as right or wrong attitude. RESULTS The mean score for knowledge was 8.5 with highest score 12 and least score of 4.5. Only one got scores 12 and above, and more than half had poor knowledge. All believed in the benefits of breast-feeding. All felt colostrum was good for the newborn. Almost all except for two reported they advised mothers in their area to exclusively breast-feed for 6 months. CONCLUSION Though the ASHA workers had the right attitude their knowledge level is poor, hence intensive training should be given to improve their knowledge as they are the frontline workers and they are the ones who will disseminate this knowledge to the general community
Authors and Affiliations
Sherin Ishaque, Jesha Mohammedali Mundodan
Keywords
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