A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN INDORE DISTRICT OF MADHYA PRADESH

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in providing antenatal care, intranatal care, management of complications, and postnatal care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done at primary and secondary level of health-care delivery centers of Indore district in Madhya Pradesh. Health centers were selected by simple random sampling. SBA-trained health personnel were selected from the study health centers and their knowledge was assessed through pre-designed, semistructured questionnaire prepared from “Trainers manual for training of SBA” of MOHFW. Result: A total of 80 trained SBAs were selected from the study health centers. Knowledge regarding postnatal care was highest (88.5%) followed by knowledge regarding antenatal care (86.8) and intranatal care (82.3%). Knowledge regarding the management of complications was lowest (75.8%). Overall, average % of knowledge regarding various subtopics among Medical Officer/AYUSH Medical Officer was 88.5%, followed by staff nurse (SN) was 85.5, lady health visitor (LHV) was 83.4%, and auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) was 76.1%. Average % in the management of complications was lowest among LHVs (61.9%) and ANM (66.3%). A significant difference was observed between SNs and ANM with regard to intranatal care (p=0.011) and management of complications (p