An Assessment of Knowledge of ASHA Workers About Their Job Responsibilities and Practices Attending Maternal and Child Health Centre, Balangir, Odisha

Background: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers play a vital role in the delivery of primary health care services to mothers and children in rural India. This article evaluates the knowledge, practices, and socio-demographic profile of ASHA workers reporting to the Maternal and Child Health Centre Bhima Bhoi Medical College &Hospital, Balangir, Odisha and examines factors associated with their knowledge. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over a period of three months involving 400 participants. The data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS Version 21.0. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics have been applied to determine knowledge levels and factors influencing the same, among ASHA workers. Result: It showed that 81.5% of ASHA workers were adequately knowledgeable about their job and tasks, mainly in diarrhoea management (95%), HIV/AIDS (92%) and health insurance programs (91%). Significant gaps were, however, identified in the knowledge areas of neonatal care (40%) and breastfeeding practices (59%). Notable positive correlation was found with improved knowledge levels pertaining to participation in VHNDs, attending refresher training, and achieving better performance during postnatal visits (p < 0.05). Approximately 90.8% belonged to Class V of the Modified B.G. Prasad Socioeconomic Classification, making them principally economically disadvantaged. Conclusion: Although ASHA workers showed a general awareness of their tasks, the acknowledged gaps in neonatal care and breastfeeding skills indicate an acute need for targeted training efforts. Such programs should focus on specific knowledge gaps and the enhancement of the workers' capacity to deliver essential health services. Enhancing community engagement, continuous education with access to refreshers may help in maximizing the effectiveness of the ASHA workers and in upgrading maternal and child health outcomes within the marginalized rural areas.