Abstract

Effectiveness of Training Programme on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs) and ANMs Working in Health Department of Panvel Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra, India

Context: The first 1000 days of life, from conception to 2 years of age, is a critical period that requires exclusive breastfeeding and nutrition-specific interventions. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and ANM are the key functionaries for the effective implementation of MCH care services at the grass root level in India. Aims & Objectives: 1) To assess the knowledge of the grass root level workers, 2) To study the effectiveness of the training program. Methodology: Interventional study was carried out on 105 grass root level workers. The training session was taken on various aspects of IYCF. The effectiveness of this training program was assessed by comparing Pretest and post-test scores. Results: Pertest questionnaire revealed knowledge on the adequacy of breastfeeding at 58.4%, on the duration of breastfeeding at 51.4%, and family planning at 41.9%. The difference in the pre-test and post-test scores of the participants was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: In-depth knowledge of IYCF was lower than expected in the study population.

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