Assessment of knowledge of ASHA workers of NRHM regarding the health of women and children

The present study was conducted to assess the existing knowledge of ASHA workers of NRHM regarding health of women and children along with some socio-personal characteristics. One hundred and fifty-five ASHA workers from three Block Primary Health Centres of Jorhat district, Assam were selected as the respondents for the present study. A structured interview schedule was prepared to study the socio-personal profile of the respondents, and knowledge of the respondents on women and children’s health. Findings revealed that 45.16 per cent respondents belonged to age group of 31-40 years. A large majority of the respondents (76.77%) were married followed by unmarried with 12.90 per cent and widow 10.32 per cent. Only 2.22 per cent respondent from Kakojan BPHC was Graduate. A large majority of the respondents that is 70.32 per cent belonged to nuclear family. Majority of the respondents that is 41.29 per cent were from small family (upto 4 members). Regarding mass media exposure high percentage of respondents (65.81%) had medium level of exposure to mass media. Majority of the respondents (54.84%) covered population below 1000. A large majority of the respondents that is 83.23 per cent had medium level of knowledge on women’s health and 80.00 per cent respondents had medium level of knowledge on children’s health. There was positive significant relationship between level of knowledge on women’s health with selected independent variables such as size of the family and mass media exposure. There was highly positive significant relationship between level of knowledge on children’s health with educational qualification.