Knowledge in Tracking Danger Signs in Newborns and their Referrals by ASHA in Uttar Pradesh, India

When ASHAs were introduced in NRHM in 2005, their primary aim was to visit homes of newborns as the first program in UP operated through the ASHAs was the Comprehensive Child Survival Program in 2008. Since then, tracking of all deliveries and all the newborns are an integral part of the work of ASHAs in all the primary health care programs operated by the NHM in UP. The current study explores some of the crucial variables of the danger signs in newborns and their subsequent referrals by the ASHAs in four districts of UP. Through this profile, the knowledge of ASHAs on these danger signs and the action that they take after identification is detailed out.    The relevance of the study assumes significance as data on the details of targeted activities on high risk newborns done by ASHAs in comparison to their performance are usually not available in various studies. A total of four districts of Uttar Pradesh were selected purposively for the study and the data collection was conducted in the villages of the respective districts with the help of a pre-tested structured interview schedule with both close-ended and open-ended questions. In addition, in-depth interviews were also conducted amongst the ASHAs and a total 250 respondents had participated in the study.