Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: November | Volume: 8 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1-7
Effectiveness of Orientation Program on Communication Disorders for ASHA Workers of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar Districts
Savithri S R1, Rajasudhakar R2, Priya M B3, Aishwarya N4
1Director, All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysuru-06.
2Reader in Speech Sciences & Department of Speech-Language Sciences, All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysuru-06.
3Lecturer, Department of Speech-Language Sciences, All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysuru-06.
4Speech-Language Pathologist (Grade I), All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysuru-06.
Corresponding Author: Rajasudhakar R
ABSTRACT
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers play an important role in educating, creating awareness and implementing any health related program in their community. The present study investigated the knowledge of ASHA workers related to communication disorders prior to and immediately after an orientation programme. Two hundred and eight ASHA workers in the age range of 24-51 years with experience ranging from 1-10 years participated in the study. Three lectures on speech, language and hearing disorders were highlighted by experienced Speech & Hearing professionals to ASHA workers in series of orientation programmes. Results indicated that the knowledge of ASHA workers on communication disorders improved after the orientation program. The pre-test score was 63.6% and the post test score was 80.2% which indicated the benefits of short term orientation programme. The findings of this study suggests that ASHA workers can be effectively involved in identifying and referring clients with communication disorders to concerned professionals at community level.
Key words: Sensitization program, Community health worker, Communication disorders, Effectiveness, Orientation program.