Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of ASHA Workers in Tuberculosis Management: A Cross-Sectional Study at Primary Health Centres

Bandaru Yeswanth Raja; Madiwalayya Shivakantayya Ganachari; Aniket Dilipkumar Manoli

Bandaru Yeswanth Raja Department of Pharmacy Practice, KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Madiwalayya Shivakantayya Ganachari Department of Pharmacy Practice, KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Aniket Dilipkumar Manoli Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, ASHA Workers, DOTS Therapy, PHC Centres, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Introduction: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers work as Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) providers in rural and tribal areas.
Method: A cross-sectional epidemiological community-based study was conducted in various Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) in the Belagavi district of North Karnataka, India over a period of 10 months. The ASHAs were interviewed with a structured KAP questionnaire and the collected data was analysed in SPSS version 23.0.
Results: A total of 150 ASHA workers were interviewed. The majority of the ASHA workers were between the age of 31 and 35 years (43.33%) and 38.37% had working experience of more than 6 years. Most of the ASHA workers had poor knowledge (mean score: 14.61 ± 3.10) and attitude (mean score: 15.29 ± 3.09), but good perception (mean score: 11.14 ± 1.96) based on the working experience (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The involvement of ASHAs themselves in disease control programmes was lacking. Therefore, educating and encouraging ASHA workers through training programs will enhance the tuberculosis (TB) treatment strategies among TB patients.

How to cite this article:
Raja B Y, Ganachari M S, Manoli A D. Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) of ASHA Workers in Tuberculosis Management: A Cross-Sectional Study at Primary Health Centres. Chettinad Health City Med J. 2024;13(4):113-120.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202467

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