Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: August | Volume: 8 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 242-245
Awareness Regarding Transmission, Diagnosis and Treatment of Tuberculosis among ASHA Workers in a Rural Block of Haryana
Dr. Kharb Minakshi1, Dr. Phalswal Anita2
1Quality Monitoring Officer District Rohtak
2Project Manager SMART health Extend PGIMS, # 456 First Floor, Omaxe City, Delhi Road, Rohtak
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had given an estimated incidence of 2.2 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) for India out of a global incidence of 9.6 million cases. One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is to provide every village, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA). Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) provider, if accessible and acceptable to patient and accountable to health system, can play a significant role in reducing TB burden. ASHA can be a DOTS provider under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme. The present study attempts to understand awareness of ASHAs pertaining to diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.
Objective: To assess awareness regarding transmission, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis among ASHA workers
Methodology:
Study design: cross-sectional, descriptive
Settings: rural health training centre, Chiri block district Rohtak
Study participants: out of 106 ASHA workers 93 ASHAs participated in the study
Study tool: pretested, self-administered questionnaire
Study analysis: percentages and proportions
Results: Mean age of study participants was 29.0+5.7. TB can affect any organ of body correctly answered by 46% of ASHAs. 88% of ASHAs were aware about symptoms of tuberculosis while 82% ASHAs told sputum examination is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of TB. Regarding the mode of spread of TB, the correct response was (cough, spit, or sputum- droplet, air-borne) given by 96% of ASHAs. However 55% of ASHAs had told DOTs strategy used for treatment of tuberculosis.19% ASHAs responded that treatment of TB has to be done in isolation.
Conclusion: The results highlight that knowledge gap still persists even after training of ASHAs regarding RNTCP. Hence there is a need to reinforce repeated sensitization so that they can utilize this knowledge for the benefit of the community.
Key words: Awareness, ASHA worker, Tuberculosis.