Abstract

India being a developing country accounts for 22% of the total global rotavirus mortality [1]. Multi-purpose female health workers are the backbone of National immunization programme and provide services in rural and urban areas. Thus, with the introduction of this new vaccine in NIS, it is necessary to understand their knowledge regarding this vaccine to design and develop measures to increase the coverage of the vaccine. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was done in Multi-Purpose Health Workers (Female) in Patiala District. From this sampling frame of 223 MPHW (F), a sample of 144 MPHW (F), was drawn by simple random sampling technique using lottery method. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was prepared using standard module of rotavirus vaccine published by Ministry of Health and Family welfare, New Delhi. Results: Maximum numbers of MPHW (F) i.e. 51 (35.4%) were in the age group of 40-49 years. 124 (86.1%) had service >10 years and belong to NRHM 105 (72.9%) cadre. Knowledge regarding the probable age of getting Rotavirus infection and the inclusion of Rotavirus vaccine in NIS was found to be statistically significant with years of service (p value <0.05). Knowledge regarding rotavirus vaccine dropper and management of frozen vaccine vial was found to be significantly associatedwith the training (p value<0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge was less in trained MPHW (F) regarding the administration of vaccine in cases of minor illness etc. In many of other operational aspects of vaccine administration their knowledge was good.

Description