Knowledge Regarding Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) Among ANMS

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Around the world more than 10 million children under the age of five die every year and the worlds poorest countries continue to bear the burden of these deaths. Levels of under-5 mortality vary widely across countries from 4 to over 280 deaths per 1000 live births. Child health has been high on the international agenda for over two decades now. The coverage of child-health interventions remains highly inadequate in India. The third National Family Health Survey (NFHS III) data showed that, in 2005-2006, only 43.5 % of children were fully immunized, 26.2 % of children, aged less than three years (under-3 children), suffering from diarrhoea, received oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution, and 64.2 % of children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) or fever in the last two weeks were taken to a health facility. Only 23 % of under-three children received breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and 46.3 % aged 0-5 months were exclusively breastfed.2 Assessment is critical to know the degree of implementation of any program which aims to protect, promote and support the health of the weaker section of the society i. e. mothers and new born. In our country IMNCI is one such program which has been shown to be effective for Mothers and New born, and has been designed with the rural setting in mind. The multipurpose health workers at the SC have to take care of all the basic health needs of the rural population and thus become back-bone of the public health delivery system. Hence, it is very important to assess the level of their knowledge and practice in relation to key services delivered under IMNCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Research design This is a descriptive cross sectional study. The study subjects were health workers female working in rural sub centers. Settingthe study was conducted in Rural PHCs & SCs of the Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. Sample size224 ANMs working in all the 37 PHCs and the SCs under these PHCs in the Nellore District were included for the study. Sampling technique stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the subjects. Tools and techniques Data were obtained by using self administered structured Questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding classification and management of illness in neonates and children. Results Among 224 ANMs only 27 (12 %) had moderately adequate Knowledge and 177 (79.01 %) had poor knowledge and 20 (8.2 %) had adequate knowledge. Conclusion Majority of the ANMs (F) have lack of knowledge in classification and management of neonate and children. This study concludes that ANMs need more supervision and training for better results. children, knowledge, illness management, ANMS, childhood illness.