Metabolic Syndrome: Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activist Workers: A Descriptive Study

Purpose: The metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for the cardiovascular disorders and type 2 diabetes mellitus in India. The knowledge regarding metabolic syndrome among grass root level workers in India have been understudied. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activist Workers (ASHA) regarding the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey design is used for this study Data were collected using structured knowledge questionnaire. Participants were 55 ASHA workers from a selected area. Convenient sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Study showed that Thirty two participants had average and twenty had poor knowledge regarding metabolic syndrome. The mean knowledge score was 15 with Standard deviation of 1.9. Most of the participants had poor knowledge about obesity, hypertension and hyper lipidemia. Only very few had good knowledge regarding the various aspects of metabolic syndrome. There was no significant association between knowledge score with socio demographic variables. Conclusion: The findings of the study throw light on to the need for undertaking more research regarding metabolic syndrome among grass root level health workers in the urban and rural areas of Kerala. ASHAs have the potential to improve their knowledge regarding prevention and control of metabolic syndrome.