Knowledge Assessment on High-Risk Pregnancies Among ASHA Workers in Magadi Taluk: An Interventional Study-Manuscript data

Government of India under an umbrella program "National Rural Health Mission (Now known as National Health Mission) introduced group of workers called as ASHA’s in view of Constructing bridge between the Community and Public health system. Objective: To assess the existing knowledge and effectiveness of the awareness program on improving the knowledge regarding high-risk pregnancies among ASHA workers. Method: An interventional study using educational videos and facilitated discussions was conducted in selected PHC and Subcentre of Magadi Taluk, Karnataka, India using complete enumeration method. Out of 159 ASHA workers 110 were engaged in the Quantitative study. Result: The study revealed that the knowledge of the ASHA workers on high-risk pregnancy after intervention was considerably high when compared to pre-intervention phase. The intervention led to significant improvements in ASHAs' knowledge on multiple aspects of maternal health. Awareness of the correct full-term pregnancy duration (37–42 weeks), the minimum number of ANC visits, and the hemoglobin cutoff increased. Misconceptions about miscarriage, HIV transmission risks, and the need for referral services for high-risk pregnancies (HRP) were addressed. Participants showed better understanding of complications like antepartum hemorrhage, severe eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and gestational diabetes. Additionally, knowledge about the recommended conception gap after two C-sections and the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy improved. Conclusions: The overall knowledge of ASHA workers regarding high-risk pregnancies boosted after intervention. However further research is needed to delve deeper into interventions of holistic effects on maternal and foetal health outcomes to ensure sustained improvements in Maternal and Child Health.