DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i12.060

Pages: 5109-5113

Although studies on knowledge of mothers on identification of dangers signs are present, very limited studies are available on knowledge of ASHAs and ANMs, who are actually the first contact healthcare personnel of newborn care. Aim is to assess the knowledge of first contact health care personnel on newborn danger signs, pre-referral treatment /stabilization and care during transport of sick neonates to higher health care facility. This cross sectional observational study focuses on knowledge of ASHAs and ANMs from PHC Vetalapalem and CHC Peddapudi which come under the catchment area of Government General Hospital, Kakinada. A pre-designed 3-part questionnaire in local language is used to assess the knowledge of health care personnel on when to refer (ability to identify IMNCI danger signs), how to refer and what pre-referral stabilization and treatment given. Most commonly cited danger signs unprompted by ASHAs were respiratory distress (57.5%), jaundice (46.6%), and refusal of feeds (46.6%), low birth weight (38.4%), fever (37%) and seizures (28.8%). Most commonly cited danger signs unprompted by ANMs were respiratory distress (76.6%), fever (55.8%), and refusal of feeds (50.6%), loose stools (42.8%) and rash/skin pustules (37.7%). Trained ANMs showed statistically higher rates of knowledge than untrained ANMs (P <0.05). Only 13.7% of ASHAs and 15.6% of ANMs practice writing referral slip. Inclusion of ASHAs in newborn training programmes, conducting regular training programmes, carrying IMNCI danger sign checklist during each home visit, provision of newborn care facilities in 108 ambulance and training 108 staff on care of newborn during transport improves newborn care and reduces their mortality and morbidity.