Evaluation of training program on knowledge of stroke among anganwadi workers in Chintamani taluk of Karnataka state, India

Abstract

Background: Established population based disease registry provides data on incidence, risk factors, determinants and trends of the disease. Population based rural stroke registry was started on a pilot basis with an objective to evaluate the feasibility of establishing population-based stroke registry in Chintamani taluk of Karnataka state, India. Training of health care personnel was undertaken to facilitate reporting of case. The objective of the present communication is to evaluate the training conducted for anganwadi workers by trained investigators in 2012. Methods: Training was conducted using a validated training manual. Among the existing 438 anganwadi workers in the taluk, 405 (92.4%) attended the training. Pre and post-test questionnaire was administered before and after the training session to assess the improvement in the knowledge of stroke. Results: Only 362 (89.38%) with both pre and post-test answered were included for analysis. Overall there was statistical significant improvement in knowledge of anganwadi workers on symptoms, risk factors and prevention of stroke. Regarding Knowledge on symptoms of Stroke, 85 (95.5%) who scored poor, 81 (98.8%) who scored average in pre-test improved to good in post test. It was observed that 94 (100%) and 120 (94.4%) of the workers who scored poor regarding knowledge on prevention and risk factors of stroke respectively improved to good in the post-test. Conclusions: This endeavor substantiates the fact that anganwadi workers can be trained to identify suspects.