ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF INTERVENTION ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON CPHC GUIDELINES AMONG SELECTED AYUSHMAN AROGYA MANDIRS IN SHAHDOL AND SATNA DISTRICTS OF MADHYA PRADESH: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: In 2018, Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), incorporating the recommendations given by National Health Policy 2017. One of the two components of this programme was the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), which is now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) catering to the goals of National Health Protection Scheme and Universal Health Coverage. (Abonmai et al., 2022). To support this effort, Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), an associate organisation of TATA Trusts, initiated an intervention in identified AAMs of Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with National Health Mission (M.P). Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge and practices of the healthcare workers on Comprehensive Primary Health Care service packages among intervention as well as non- intervention AAMs. It also aims to assess the differences between the knowledge and practices of healthcare workers among both types of AAMs. Methods: The study was conducted through a quantitative approach - a comparative cross- sectional survey and a structured questionnaire were used to assess the knowledge and practice levels. 40 AAMs were chosen for the study, 20 each from Satna and Shahdol districts. The participants were Community Health Officer (CHOs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs) of these centres. Data was collected through a digitized questionnaire, followed by coding and analyzed using SPSS and Excel. Results: A significant difference in the scores of two types of AAMs were observed. Centres which were associated with the intervention clearly outperformed the non-intervention centres.