V3I7P5

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Selected Minor Ailments of Under-Five Children Among Anganwadi Workers at Dharapuram with a View to Develop a Self-Instructional Module

Prof. Little Flower. P^1*

Abstract

Background: Under-five children are highly vulnerable to minor ailments such as fever, diarrhoea, cough, common cold, vomiting, worm infestation, skin infections, and conjunctivitis. Timely recognition and appropriate management of these conditions are essential to prevent complications. Anganwadi workers play a pivotal role in providing basic healthcare and health education to children and mothers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme. Therefore, adequate knowledge and appropriate practices among Anganwadi workers are crucial for improving child health outcomes.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive survey design was adopted to assess the knowledge and practice regarding selected minor ailments of under-five children among Anganwadi workers. The study was conducted among 60 Anganwadi workers selected through convenience sampling from Dharapuram Block. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic variables, a 40-item knowledge questionnaire, and a 15-item practice questionnaire. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge and practice regarding selected minor ailments, determine the association between knowledge scores and selected demographic variables, and develop a Self-Instructional Module (SIM). The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test).

Results: Among the participants, 55.0% were above 40 years of age, 53.3% had completed high school education, and 40.0% had more than 15 years of work experience. Knowledge assessment revealed that 45.0% had adequate knowledge, 23.3% had moderately adequate knowledge, and 31.7% had inadequate knowledge regarding selected minor ailments of under-five children. With respect to practice, 46.7% demonstrated good practice, 28.3% had moderate practice and 25.0% had poor practice. The mean knowledge score was 58.3, the median was 59.16, and the standard deviation was 4.28. Chi-square analysis indicated no statistically significant association between knowledge scores and age (χ² = 0.020, p > 0.05), educational status (χ² = 2.549, p > 0.05), or years of experience (χ² = 1.739, p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that although a considerable proportion of Anganwadi workers possessed adequate knowledge and demonstrated good practices regarding selected minor ailments of under-five children, knowledge deficiencies were still evident among a substantial number of participants. The absence of significant associations between knowledge and demographic variables suggests that regular training should be provided to all Anganwadi workers irrespective of their age, educational status, or years of experience. The study recommends the implementation of periodic educational programmes and the development of Self-Instructional Modules to enhance the knowledge and practices of Anganwadi workers, thereby improving the quality of child healthcare services at the community level.

Keywords:

Anganwadi workers, Under-five children, Minor ailments, Knowledge, Practice, Self-Instructional Module.