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\setlength{\itemindent}{0pt}% \setlength{\parskip}{0pt}% \setlength{\itemsep}{0pt}% \setlength{\parsep}{2pt}% \def\makelabel##1{\upshape ##1}}% } {\end{list}\end{raggedright}} \newenvironment{specHead}[2]% {\vspace{20pt}\hrule\vspace{10pt}% \phantomsection\label{#1}\markright{#2}% \pdfbookmark[2]{#2}{#1}% \hspace{-0.75in}{\bfseries\fontsize{16pt}{18pt}\selectfont#2}% }{} \def\TheFullDate{2022 1970-01-01 (revised: 37 Year 2022 01 January 1970)} \def\TheID{\makeatother } \def\TheDate{2022 1970-01-01} \title{Knowledge Evaluation of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) on Maternal and Child Health, in a Rural Area of Gomati District, Tripura} \author{}\makeatletter \makeatletter \newcommand*{\cleartoleftpage}{% \clearpage \if@twoside \ifodd\c@page \hbox{}\newpage \if@twocolumn \hbox{}\newpage \fi \fi \fi } \makeatother \makeatletter \thispagestyle{empty} \markright{\@title}\markboth{\@title}{\@author} \renewcommand\small{\@setfontsize\small{9pt}{11pt}\abovedisplayskip 8.5\p@ plus3\p@ 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\definecolor{GJMediumGrey}{HTML}{6D6E70} \definecolor{GJLightGrey}{HTML}{929497} \renewenvironment{abstract}{% \setlength{\parindent}{0pt}\raggedright \textcolor{GJMediumGrey}{\rule{\textwidth}{2pt}} \vskip16pt \textcolor{GJBlue}{\large\bfseries\abstractname\space} }{% \vskip8pt \textcolor{GJMediumGrey}{\rule{\textwidth}{2pt}} \vskip16pt } \usepackage[absolute,overlay]{textpos} \makeatother \usepackage{lineno} \linenumbers \begin{document} \author[1]{Dr. Sampa Mitra} \renewcommand\Authands{ and } \date{\small \em Received: 1 January 1970 Accepted: 1 January 1970 Published: 1 January 1970} \maketitle \begin{abstract} Background: National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) provides a trained female community health worker i.e., Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), to every Indian village. An ASHA acts as a bridge between the rural people and the health service outlets.Objective: The objective is to understand the knowledge levels of ASHAs regarding various aspects of maternal and child health.Method: This cross-sectional study, conducted between April 2017 and July 2017, attempts to assess the knowledge levels of 232 ASHAs, working in Ompi CHC (Community Health Centre), Killa PHC (Primary Health Centre) and Atharabula PHC. These centres are located in Ompi RD (Rural Development) Block and Killa RD Block of Gomati District of Tripura. Knowledge level is assessed by performing binomial test at 5% level of significance. \end{abstract} \keywords{ASHA, Gomati District, knowledge level, maternal and child health, binomial test, crosssectional study.} \begin{textblock*}{18cm}(1cm,1cm) % {block width} (coords) \textcolor{GJBlue}{\LARGE Global Journals \LaTeX\ JournalKaleidoscope\texttrademark} \end{textblock*} \begin{textblock*}{18cm}(1.4cm,1.5cm) % {block width} (coords) \textcolor{GJBlue}{\footnotesize \\ Artificial Intelligence formulated this projection for compatibility purposes from the original article published at Global Journals. However, this technology is currently in beta. \emph{Therefore, kindly ignore odd layouts, missed formulae, text, tables, or figures.}} \end{textblock*} \begin{textblock*}{10cm}(1.05cm,3cm) {{\textit{CrossRef DOI of original article:}} \underline{}} \end{textblock*}\let\tabcellsep& \section[{Introduction}]{Introduction}\par ne of the key features of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is to provide a trained female community health worker i.e., Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) to every Indian village \hyperref[b0]{(1)}. An ASHA acts as a bridge between the rural people and the health service outlets, and plays a central role in achieving the national health and population policy goals. An ASHA is expected to provide antenatal, natal and postnatal services to women, give primary medical care (using her kit), assist in the control of diseases with the help of proper information, education and surveillance, counsel people (especially women) on family planning, safe abortion, child immunization, Vitamin A supplementations, appropriate breastfeeding, birth spacing, sex discrimination, child marriage, girls' education, and care of the child (especially newborn), help in household surveys, collaborate with health functionaries working for the community disease control, create awareness on health and its determinants, support the people in utilizing the existing health services etc. \hyperref[b0]{(1)}.\par The performance of ASHAs is, therefore, crucial for the success of NRHM.\par The objective of this work is to assess the knowledge levels of the ASHAs, with regard to various aspects of maternal and child health, in a rural area of Gomati District, Tripura.\par For understanding the knowledge levels of ASHAs, the binomial tests have been done at 5\% level of significance.\par Before undertaking this study, a brief literature survey has been conducted. However, no study dealing with knowledge evaluation of ASHAs of Gomati District of Tripura, on maternal and child health, has been found. \section[{II.}]{II.} \section[{Materials and Methods}]{Materials and Methods}\par It is a cross-sectional study, conducted between April 2017 and July 2017, on 232 ASHAs working in Ompi CHC (Community Health Centre), Killa PHC (Primary Health Centre) and Atharabula PHC. These centres (i.e., two PHCs and one CHC) are located in Ompi RD (Rural Development) Block and Killa RD Block; these two blocks have been selected by the simple random sampling method from the eight RD blocks of the Gomati District of Tripura.\par All ASHAs working in the aforesaid centres, during the study period, who have given informed consent regarding participation in this study, have been included; only those ASHAs who are not willing to participate even after knowing the purpose of the study, have been excluded from the study. It may be noted here that, at the very beginning, the purpose and the objective of the study have been clearly discussed O Knowledge Evaluation of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), on Maternal and Child Health, in a Rural Area of Gomati District, Tripura with the prospective participants, and they have been given the option to participate or quit at any time.\par Data have been collected with the help of a pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire. ASHAs have been visited on ASHA Varosa Divas of each centre, and interviewed face-toface using the questionnaire. All the collected data have been tabulated, and utilized to perform binomial tests \hyperref[b1]{(2)}, and the results of the tests have been subsequently interpreted.\par The formula \hyperref[b2]{(3,}\hyperref[b3]{4)} for calculating the p-value (p1), pertaining to the binomial test, is given in equation-1:p1=2 (n! / ((n-X)! X!)) p X q (n-X) ? 1\par where, n=total number of ASHAs participating in the study=232; X=n/2=116; p=proportion of ASHAs who have given correct answer, in response to a question; q=proportion of ASHAs who have given incorrect answer, in response to the same question. If p1<0.05, for a question, then it can be inferred that a significant number of ASHAs have correct knowledge with regard to the topic associated with the question; otherwise, the number of ASHAs, having correct knowledge, is not significant.\par The values of p1 are calculated for all the questions associated with a particular subject, and subsequently averaged (using the formula for arithmetic mean) to get p1 min . If p1 min <0.05, for a subject, then it can be inferred that a significant number of ASHAs have correct knowledge with regard to the particular subject; otherwise, the number of ASHAs, having correct knowledge, is not significant.\par If p<0.5 (and consequently, q>0.5), then the value of p1 may generate erroneous inference regarding significance. Hence, in these cases (where p<0.5 and q>0.5), p and q are both taken as 0.5 only for the sake of calculating p1.\par Since the data have been collected for purely academic purpose, and the permission for data collection has been obtained from the CMOH (Chief Medical Officer of Health) of the Gomati District, and also the MOICs (Medical Officers in Charge) of the respective centres, there is no chance of any kind of exploitation involved in this study.\par The method used in this work, is shown in fig. \hyperref[fig_0]{-1}. \section[{Results}]{Results}\par The knowledge levels of ASHAs with regard to antenatal care, postnatal care, breastfeeding, child health, immunization and family planning, are shown respectively in tables-1-5. At the end of each table, the percentage for the significant number of ASHAs has been calculated by averaging the percentages corresponding to the number of correct answers, in the corresponding table.\par The values of p1 in tables-1-5 show that a significant number of ASHAs have correct knowledge regarding the topic associated with each of the questions, except question number-8 of table-1, question number-2 of table-2, and question numbers-4 and 6 of table-5.\par IV. \section[{Discussions}]{Discussions}\par From tables-1-5, the following inferences can be drawn: aspects of all of the aforesaid subjects (viz., antenatal care, postnatal care, breastfeeding, child health, immunization and family planning). But, the situation is quite far from the reality. Hence, there is no room for complacency, and immediate arrangements should be made for proper and adequate training of the ASHAs, particularly with regard to the four aforesaid topics, pertaining to each of which, a significant number of ASHAs do not have correct knowledge. Now, a brief review of the outcomes of some of the other studies on ASHAs, may help in understanding the relevance of this work.? A significant\par A study undertaken by {\ref Garg et al.} shows that in some villages of rural Haryana, majority of ASHAs knew about assisting in immunization (100\%), accompanying women for delivery (98\%), and providing antenatal care (96.10\%) and family planning (96.40\%) services, as a part of their duty \hyperref[b4]{(5)}. In the current study also, it has been found that a significant number of ASHAs have thorough knowledge about antenatal care (78.9\%), immunization and family planning (66.5\%).\par Fathima et al. conducted a survey on ASHAs of some parts of Karnataka, and found that a significant number of ASHAs (>80\%) were involved in home visits, and counselling with regard to antenatal care, breastfeeding and immunization, but only a small proportion (<25\%) of ASHAs gave advice on the use of contraceptives \hyperref[b5]{(6)}. These observations, except the one concerning contraceptives, are similar to those of the current study, where it has been found that a considerable number of ASHAs have good knowledge about antenatal care (78.9\%), breastfeeding (88.2\%), immunization and family planning (66.5\%). However, in the present study, 55.6\% of the ASHAs know what a condom (nirodh) is (though only 39.7\% of them know what an oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is).\par Guha et al. worked on the ASHAs of some villages of Maharashtra (Wardha), and observed that though majority of the ASHAs undertook home visits and assisted in antenatal care and postnatal care, only a few of them were aware of their roles in facilitating breastfeeding and the use of contraceptives \hyperref[b6]{(7)}. Regarding antenatal care and postnatal care, their findings are similar to those of the present study which indicates good knowledge among significant number of ASHAs about antenatal care (78.9\%) and postnatal care (69.8\%). But, unlike their observations about breastfeeding and contraceptives, the present study indicates that a considerable number of ASHAs are knowledgeable about breastfeeding (88.2\%) and condom (nirodh) (55.6\%). (However, according to the current study, only 39.7\% of the ASHAs know what an oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is.)\par Taksande et al. studied the ASHAs of selected villages of Maharashtra (Wardha), and found that 48\% of them were aware of the antenatal care registration in clinic \hyperref[b7]{(8)}. This outcome is not quite in agreement with the finding of the current study that 78.9\% of the ASHAs have good knowledge about antenatal care.\par Panda et al. undertook a study on ASHAs working in some parts of Odisha, and found that 100\% of the ASHAs helped in immunization, and 98\% of them knew about family planning activities \hyperref[b8]{(9)}. Their observations are similar to that of the current study that majority of the ASHAs (66.5\%) have correct knowledge about immunization and family planning.\par Sugandha et al., after conducting a study on the ASHAs of Mysuru (Karnataka), noted that 51.5\% of them had average knowledge about antenatal care, 86.1\% had good knowledge regarding postnatal care, and 90.5\% had thorough knowledge about contraception \hyperref[b9]{(10)}. With regard to postnatal care and contraception, there are similarities between their outcomes and those of the current study, since the present study indicates correct knowledge, among significant number of ASHAs, in the fields of postnatal care (69.8\%), immunization and family planning (66.5\%). However, in contrast to their observation For table-5, p1 min =0.033. Hence, it may be concluded that a significant number of ASHAs (66.5\%) have correct knowledge regarding immunization and family planning. about antenatal care, the current study shows that a considerable number of ASHAs (78.9\%) have good knowledge about antenatal care.\par Chaurasiya et al., after analyzing relevant information regarding the services provided by the ASHAs, collected from their beneficiaries (i.e., mothers having child up to 2 years of age), in some villages of a district of western Uttar Pradesh, observed that ASHAs escorted 43.5\% of the beneficiaries ?4 times to the hospital/health centre for antenatal care visit, and performed ?6 home visits for postnatal care for 57.2\% of the beneficiaries \hyperref[b10]{(11)}. These observations indicate that majority of the ASHAs have good knowledge about postnatal care, but not antenatal care. However, in the present study, significant number of ASHAs have been found to have thorough knowledge regarding both antenatal care (78.9\%) and postnatal care (69.8\%).\par Bhattacharya et al. worked on how the pregnant women utilized services of the ASHAs in some villages of the West Tripura District of Tripura, and found that the ASHAs helped 76.69\% of the women to have adequate antenatal check-ups \hyperref[b11]{(12)}. This finding indicates that majority of the ASHAs have good knowledge about antenatal care, and hence, is similar to the outcome of the current study that 78.9\% of the ASHAs have thorough knowledge about antenatal care.\par V. \section[{Conclusions}]{Conclusions}\par The work has attempted to assess the knowledge levels of the ASHAs, with regard to various aspects of maternal and child health, in a rural area of Gomati District, Tripura. On the basis of the results of the binomial tests, it can be concluded that a significant number of ASHAs, associated with Ompi CHC, Killa PHC and Atharabula PHC, have correct knowledge regarding various aspects of the subjects of antenatal care, postnatal care, breastfeeding, child health, immunization and family planning, except certain topics viz., heavy manual labour by women during pregnancy, minimum number of postnatal check-ups, time-limit of abortion after pregnancy, and oral contraceptive pill (OCP). However, since all ASHAs need to become aware of all the relevant details with respect to the aforesaid subjects, there is an urgent need for proper and adequate training of the ASHAs, especially with regard to the four abovementioned topics.\par A more comprehensive idea about the ASHAs of Tripura could have been had, if data were collected from other districts also. Besides, a more detailed questionnaire might have been helpful in judging the ASHAs' knowledge levels regarding various aspects of maternal and child health, to a greater degree. If possible, these tasks may be taken up in future.\begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{1}\includegraphics[]{image-2.png} \caption{\label{fig_0}Fig.- 1 :}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{}\includegraphics[]{image-3.png} \caption{\label{fig_1}}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{-} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.0873876404494382\textwidth}P{0.4908988764044944\textwidth}P{0.005730337078651685\textwidth}P{0.001910112359550562\textwidth}P{0.0028651685393258426\textwidth}P{0.1074438202247191\textwidth}P{0.09932584269662921\textwidth}P{0.05443820224719101\textwidth}} Serial Number\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Question}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep Number of Correct Answers\tabcellsep Number of Incorrect Answers\tabcellsep p1\\ 1.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the optimal time for registration of pregnant women?}\tabcellsep 222 (95.7\%)\tabcellsep 10 (4.3\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 2.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the minimum number of ANC check-ups required?}\tabcellsep 220 (94.8\%)\tabcellsep 12 (5.2\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 3.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Is early pregnancy diagnosis to be done by testing urine, stool or}\tabcellsep 181 (78.0\%)\tabcellsep 51 (22.0\%)\tabcellsep 1.1549X10 -20\\ \tabcellsep blood?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 4.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the purpose of Nischay kit?}\tabcellsep 198 (85.3\%)\tabcellsep 34 (14.7\%)\tabcellsep 1.8090X10 -36\\ 5.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{How many times should the}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{pregnant women (primi) be given}\tabcellsep 210 (90.5\%)\tabcellsep 22 (9.5\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{tetanus toxoid (TT) injection?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 6.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the implication if after blood}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{test, haemoglobin concentration level is found to be less than 7.0}\tabcellsep 168 (72.4\%)\tabcellsep 64 (27.6\%)\tabcellsep 5.4158X10 -13\\ \tabcellsep gm/dl?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 7.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Is there any necessity to give}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep women\tabcellsep more\tabcellsep food\tabcellsep during\tabcellsep 219 (94.4\%)\tabcellsep 13 (5.6\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{pregnancy?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 8.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Should women carry out heavy}\tabcellsep 102 (44.0\%)\tabcellsep 130 (56.0\%)\tabcellsep 0.1046\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{manual labour during pregnancy?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep calculating p1)\tabcellsep calculating p1)\\ 9.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the minimum period for}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{which all pregnant women must take IFA (iron and folic acid) tablet}\tabcellsep 139 (59.9\%)\tabcellsep 93 (40.1\%)\tabcellsep 1.0111X10 -3\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{(1 tablet daily) to prevent anaemia?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 10.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What are the side effects of IFA tablet?}\tabcellsep 151 (65.1\%)\tabcellsep 81 (34.9\%)\tabcellsep 1.5910X10 -6\\ 11.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What are the potential danger signs during pregnancy which prompt}\tabcellsep 196 (84.5\%)\tabcellsep 36 (15.5\%)\tabcellsep 2.8340X10 -34\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{immediate referral?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 12.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{Is it the duty of an ASHA to escort}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{the pregnant women to the hospital}\tabcellsep 229 (98.7\%)\tabcellsep 3 (1.3\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{for institutional delivery?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 13.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What should an ASHA do if, after}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{home delivery, mother reports excessive vaginal bleeding or}\tabcellsep 151 (65.1\%)\tabcellsep 81 (34.9\%)\tabcellsep 1.5910X10 -6\\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{severe abdominal pain?}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 14.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{4}{l}{What is the meaning of birth-preparedness?}\tabcellsep 178 (76.7\%)\tabcellsep 54 (23.3\%)\tabcellsep 1.2826X10 -18\\ \multicolumn{8}{l}{For table-1, p1 min =0.008. This implies that a significant number of ASHAs (78.9\%) have correct knowledge with regard}\\ to antenatal care.\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par \caption{\label{tab_0}Table - 1}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{-} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.029371112646855563\textwidth}P{0.5110573600552868\textwidth}P{0.13217000691085004\textwidth}P{0.1257083621285418\textwidth}P{0.051693158258465786\textwidth}} Serial Number\tabcellsep Question\tabcellsep Number of Correct Answers\tabcellsep Number of Incorrect Answers\tabcellsep p1\\ 1.\tabcellsep What is the meaning of postnatal period?\tabcellsep 138 (59.5\%)\tabcellsep 94 (40.5\%)\tabcellsep 1.4699X10 -3\\ 2.\tabcellsep What is the minimum number of\tabcellsep 99 (42.7\%)\tabcellsep 133 (57.3\%)\tabcellsep 0.1046\\ \tabcellsep postnatal check-ups required?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep calculating p1)\tabcellsep calculating p1)\tabcellsep \\ 3.\tabcellsep What are the common major\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep complications which can happen\tabcellsep 193 (83.2\%)\tabcellsep 39 (16.8\%)\tabcellsep 5.3545X10 -31\\ \tabcellsep during the postpartum period?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 4.\tabcellsep What should be the minimum\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep spacing between two live child\tabcellsep 213 (91.8\%)\tabcellsep 19 (8.2\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep births?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 5.\tabcellsep Which women are more at the\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep risk of developing complications\tabcellsep 158 (68.1\%)\tabcellsep 74 (31.9\%)\tabcellsep 8.7765X10\\ \tabcellsep during delivery?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 6.\tabcellsep What is the time interval following\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep delivery, after which the placenta\tabcellsep 171 (73.7\%)\tabcellsep 61 (26.3\%)\tabcellsep 1.5836X10 -14\\ \tabcellsep usually comes out?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \multicolumn{3}{l}{Table-3: Knowledge of ASHAs regarding breastfeeding (n=232)}\tabcellsep \\ Serial Number\tabcellsep Question\tabcellsep Number of Correct Answers\tabcellsep Number of Incorrect Answers\tabcellsep p1\\ 1.\tabcellsep Why is colostrum necessary for a newborn baby?\tabcellsep 206 (88.8\%)\tabcellsep 26 (11.2\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 2.\tabcellsep When should a newborn be put to breast, after birth?\tabcellsep 221 (95.3\%)\tabcellsep 11 (4.7\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 3.\tabcellsep At least how many times should a newborn be breastfed per day?\tabcellsep 195 (84.1\%)\tabcellsep 37 (15.9\%)\tabcellsep 3.1401X10 -33\\ 4.\tabcellsep What are the indications of inadequate breastfeeding to a\tabcellsep 170 (73.3\%)\tabcellsep 62 (26.7\%)\tabcellsep 4.8518X10 -14\\ \tabcellsep baby?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 5.\tabcellsep What should be the duration of\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep exclusive breastfeeding, according to\tabcellsep 210 (90.5\%)\tabcellsep 22 (9.5\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep WHO (World Health Organization)?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 6.\tabcellsep What is the age at which,\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep complementary food is necessary for\tabcellsep 225 (97.0\%)\tabcellsep 7 (3.0\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep a baby?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par {\small\itshape [Note: For]} \caption{\label{tab_1}Table - 2}\end{figure} \begin{figure}[htbp] \noindent\textbf{-} \par \begin{longtable}{P{0.025295023088763465\textwidth}P{0.5050282195997948\textwidth}P{0.01090302719343253\textwidth}P{0.12211390456644432\textwidth}P{0.12821959979476652\textwidth}P{0.05844022575679836\textwidth}} Serial Number\tabcellsep Question\tabcellsep \tabcellsep Number of Correct Answers\tabcellsep Number of Incorrect Answers\tabcellsep p1\\ 1.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{What is the minimum body weight of a normal baby at birth?}\tabcellsep 226 (97.4\%)\tabcellsep 6 (2.6\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 2.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{When should a baby be considered to have low birthweight (LBW)?}\tabcellsep 128 (55.2\%)\tabcellsep 104 (44.8\%)\tabcellsep 0.0296\\ 3.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{What are the signs of a high risk baby?}\tabcellsep 148 (63.8\%)\tabcellsep 84 (36.2\%)\tabcellsep 1.0664X10 -5\\ 4.\tabcellsep What are the signs/symptoms due to\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep which, an ASHA should advise the mother/family to take a baby to the\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 182 (78.4\%)\tabcellsep 50 (21.6\%)\tabcellsep 2.4879X10 -21\\ \tabcellsep hospital immediately?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 5.\tabcellsep What are the signs/symptoms which\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep indicate severe dehydration of a baby\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 183 (78.9\%)\tabcellsep 49 (21.1\%)\tabcellsep 3.4374X10 -22\\ \tabcellsep in case of diarrhoeal disease?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 6.\tabcellsep Should a baby be given bath immediately after birth?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 203 (87.5\%)\tabcellsep 29 (12.5\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ 7.\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{When can the body temperature of a}\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep newborn baby be considered as less\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 190 (81.9\%)\tabcellsep 42 (18.1\%)\tabcellsep 4.8999X10 -28\\ \tabcellsep than normal?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 8.\tabcellsep How many times should an ASHA\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep undertake home visit, in case of\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 186 (80.2\%)\tabcellsep 46 (19.8\%)\tabcellsep 1.4319X10 -24\\ \tabcellsep institutional delivery?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 9.\tabcellsep How many times should an ASHA\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep undertake home visit, in case of home\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 205 (88.4\%)\tabcellsep 27 (11.6\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep delivery?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ Serial Number\tabcellsep Question\tabcellsep \multicolumn{2}{l}{Number of Correct Answers}\tabcellsep Number of Incorrect Answers\tabcellsep p1\\ 1.\tabcellsep What are the disease/diseases\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep against which BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine provides\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 225 (97.0\%)\tabcellsep 7 (3.0\%)\tabcellsep 0\\ \tabcellsep protection?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 2.\tabcellsep What are the disease/diseases\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep against which DPT* vaccine\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 192 (82.8\%)\tabcellsep 40 (17.2\%)\tabcellsep 4.6920X10 -30\\ \tabcellsep provides protection?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ 3.\tabcellsep What is the minimum interval between two doses of Vitamin A?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 182 (78.4\%)\tabcellsep 50 (21.6\%)\tabcellsep 2.4879X10 -21\\ 4.\tabcellsep Up to what time interval after\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 108 (46.6\%)\tabcellsep 124 (53.4\%)\tabcellsep 0.1046\\ \tabcellsep pregnancy, is abortion legal?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep calculating p1)\tabcellsep calculating p1)\\ 5.\tabcellsep What is a condom (nirodh)?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 129 (55.6\%)\tabcellsep 103 (44.4\%)\tabcellsep 0.0242\\ 6.\tabcellsep What is an oral contraceptive pill\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 92 (39.7\%)\tabcellsep 140 (60.3\%)\tabcellsep 0.1046\\ \tabcellsep (OCP)?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\tabcellsep 116 (50.0\%) (for\\ \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep calculating p1)\tabcellsep calculating p1)\\ 7.\tabcellsep What are the ways through which\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \\ \tabcellsep HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can pass from one person\tabcellsep \tabcellsep 151 (65.1\%)\tabcellsep 81 (34.9\%)\tabcellsep 1.5910X10 -6\\ \tabcellsep to other persons?\tabcellsep \tabcellsep \tabcellsep \end{longtable} \par {\small\itshape [Note: For table-4, p1 min =0.003. Thus, it can be inferred that a significant number of ASHAs (79.1\%) have correct knowledge regarding child health.]} \caption{\label{tab_2}Table - 4}\end{figure} \backmatter \subsection[{Acknowledgements}]{Acknowledgements}\par The author is deeply indebted to Dr. Shantanu Jamatia, PGDPHM student (session: 2016-17), AIIH \& PH, Kolkata, for collecting the data and helping in the analysis.\par Besides, the author is grateful to the ASHAs (who have participated in this study) associated with Ompi CHC, Killa PHC and Atharabula PHC, for their cooperation in the data collection process. \subsection[{Source of Funding: Personal Source}]{Source of Funding: Personal Source} \subsection[{Conflict of Interest:}]{Conflict of Interest:}\par The author certifies that there is no conflict of interest, involved in this study. \begin{bibitemlist}{1} \bibitem[ National Health Mission. 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