Knowledge Assessment on High-Risk Pregnancies Among ASHA Workers in Magadi Taluk: An Interventional Study
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Background: The Government of India, under the umbrella program National Health Mission, introduced ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) to serve as a vital link between the community and the public health system. The study aimed to assess the existing knowledge of ASHA workers and evaluate the effectiveness of an awareness program on high-risk pregnancies. Methods: An interventional study was conducted in selected Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Subcentres of Magadi Taluk, Karnataka, India, using an educational approach that included videos and facilitated discussions. A complete enumeration method was used. Of 159 ASHA’s 110 participated in the quantitative study. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to assess the knowledge related to high-risk pregnancies. Results: Knowledge of the ASHA’s on high-risk pregnancy improved considerably after the intervention. Improvement was observed in the indicators such as full-term pregnancy duration 37–42-week (pre-test-87.3%, post-test-90.0%), minimum number of antenatal care (ANC) visits (pre-test-64.5%, post-test-90.0%) and haemoglobin cut-off level for diagnosing anaemia (pre-test-38.2%, post-test-81,8%) responding accurately. Misconceptions regarding miscarriage decreased (pre-test- 91.8%, post-test-24.5%), while knowledge about HIV transmission risks (pre-test-75.5%, post-test-89.0%), importance of referral services for managing high-risk pregnancies increased (pre-test-52.7%, post-test-61.8%). Better understanding of complications such as antepartum haemorrhage, severe eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and gestational diabetes, conception gap after two C-sections and the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy improved. Conclusions: The overall knowledge of ASHA workers regarding high-risk pregnancies boosted after intervention. Further research is needed to delve deeper into interventions of holistic effects on maternal and foetal health outcomes.
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