Technical Support to Accelerate Promotion of COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviours (CAB) for the State of Karnataka

Partner: UNICEF, Hyderabad

Project Team

Duration: September 2021 to April 2022 (Phase 1)

Location: 31 Districts of Karnataka through deployment of District SBCC Coordinators and Regional Coordinators

About the Project

COVID 19 pandemic has led to unparalleled and unforeseen challenges requiring collective action and support from all. While all necessary measures to fight the spread of Novel Corona Virus (COVID 19) are being effectively led by the Central Government, State Governments and there is a need to reinforce the importance of preventive measures and practices in a sustained manner, to deal with the disease over the long run. To complement the efforts of the Govt of Karnataka and strengthen technical support for acceleration of COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviours (CAB) and Vaccination efforts through focus on Social Behaviour Change Communication and, Risk Communication and Community Engagement(RCCE), UNICEF Hyderabad Field Office has partnered with Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), Bangalore from August 2021, for deployment of District SBCC Coordinators who will coordinate and collaborate the CAB and Vaccine efforts of the various departments at the district level. COVID-19 Specific Emergency Response – The communities and families in the districts of Karnataka have knowledge and skills to protect themselves from the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19. COVID-19 Sensitive Emergency Response – The communities adopt gender responsive practices for prevention of anemia, addressing Routine Immunization inequities and community-based management of SAM children.

COVID-19 Specific Emergency Response – The communities and families in the districts of Karnataka have knowledge and skills to protect themselves from the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 Sensitive Emergency Response – The communities adopt gender responsive practices for prevention of anemia, addressing Routine Immunization inequities and community-based management of SAM children.

Assessment of the Current Burden of Service Delivery on ASHAs and the potential role of Multipurpose Health Worker in task sharing in Karnataka.

Funding Agency:  India Health Systems Collaborative (IIHSC)

Project Team: Dr. R. Sarala (PI), Dr. Usha Manjunath, Dr. Deepashree M R, Mr. Rajendra. D & Dr. Mythrishree

Location: Koppal, Mysore and Raichur districts of Karnataka

IHSC was conceived as a platform to help bridge the gap between academia and policy practitioners. IHSC’s vision and mandate is based on the necessity to achieve two key objectives. First is to provide necessary evidence for decision makers on policy questions that are critical to India’s health system and the second, is to foster a sustainable network of health system researchers that will work in a consortium structure to develop a more systems-based approach to health research and reforms in India. Several studies suggest that ASHAs are often overstretched given in their expanding mandate under NHM, which could result in gaps in delivery of services owing to number of tasks they are expected to cover, with task sharing is seen as possible solution to tackle this issue. This study focussed on assessment of the current burden of service delivery on ASHAs and the potential role of Multipurpose Health Worker in task sharing in Karnataka. The objectives of the study are as follows:

• To assess the current burden of service provision of ASHAs
• To assess the impact of service provisions on Quality of Life of ASHA Workers
• To suggest the potential role and structured task-shifting training strategies for revival and strengthening of multi-purpose health workers to effectively manage the emerging infectious and non-communicable diseases at community level.

Multi- Stage Random sampling design and mixed methodology was adopted for the study. Primary data was collected through quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. i) Quantitative Method: a) Task Diary: Documentation of various activities and time spent for each activity in a day/week b) Quality of Life: WHO- QOLBREF was adopted ii) Qualitative Method: a) Small Focussed group discussion consisting of 3 to 5 members b) In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) c) Participant Observation and d) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with various stakeholders at Sector, Block, District and State level was carried out. The data was analysed using NVivo Software.

Formative and Impact Assessment on Svasti-Nutrition for Women and Children Program in Kolar and Tumkur Districts, Karnataka

Agency:  Bhoruka Charitable Trust (BCT)

Project Team: Dr. Usha Manjunath, Dr. Sarala. R, Dr. Gyan Chandra Kashyap

Location: Kolar and Tumkur districts of Karnataka

Duration: January 2020 to Dec 2021

This study has been commenced by Bhoruka Charitable Trust and Spirulina Foundation to address a critical issue related to women and child health in Kolar and Tumkur district of Karnataka. The program aimed to improve the nutrition level and the overall health of the young child, adolescent girls, and lactating mothers by regularly providing the Spirulina Chickies. Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Bangalore, is a nodal agency for conducting baseline and end-line survey to address the key issue related to health and nutrition of child and adolescent girls.

The objective of the study is to i) understand the knowledge and practice related to nutrition and anemia among children, adolescents, and lactating mothers ii) to assess the nutritional status and anemia among children, adolescents, and lactating mothers and iii) to assess the impact of the program on nutritional status and anemia among children, adolescents, and lactating mothers. The study has been carried out for a period of 7 Months, viz., three and a half months for each Formative and Impact Assessment in Kolar and Tumkur Districts, Karnataka. A cross-sectional study has been adopted to carry out the present study. The study has been carried out in selected 11 villages from 5 taluks of Kolar District. Total 1000 is the sample size for each formative and impact assessment, i.e., total 2200 covering children (0-12 years), adolescents’ girls (13-18 years), and lactating mothers. In Tumkur, total 106 villages (108 AWCs in 9 circles) have been selected. Total sample size for each formative and impact assessment is 1500 covering children from 6 months to 6 years. Clinical & Biometric information such as height, weight, and haemoglobin have been collected from the selected participants of the study.

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and Comprehensive Health Centre in Urban Slums of Bangalore

Funding Agency: HCL Foundation

Team Members: Dr. Usha Manjunath (Project Director), Dr. R. Sarala (Project Coordinator), Dr. Deepashree, Ms. Ramya.T.Karur, and Ms. Kokila

Location: Maya Bazaar & Anandapuram (Bangalore)

This study focusses on underprivileged communities living in urban slums of Bangalore namely Maya Bazaar and Anandapuram. Early Childhood Care & Development (ECCD) centers (3 Creches) has been set-up under this project to guide and assist the development of five faculties (i.e., Cognitive, Language, Physical, Mote Personal, Social, and Emotional) among 0-6 years children. In addition, the study created awareness about various health-related issues such as ANC, PNC, Delivery, Family Planning, Menstrual hygiene, Nutrition and Diet, Hygiene /WASH, NCDs, Abuse and government health Schemes among Reproductive age group women, Pregnant women, Men, Adolescent boys, and girls. Also, the study supported the community members in accessing various government health schemes and services through liaison with various healthcare stakeholders especially frontline workers. As part of the study, various activities viz., health camps, low-cost nutrition food preparation workshops for women, competition for children were organised.