Poor quality control of the first contact point of community: findings of cross-sectional study on subcentres in district Jhansi

As Sub-centres are the first contact point with the community, the success of any nationwide programme would depend largely on the well-functioning Sub-centres providing services of acceptable standard to the people.

Literature reviewed shows few studies on monitoring and supervision aspect of subcentres reflecting need to further assess this domain. In the above context, this study was carried out to highlight the monitoring, supervision and quality control at subcentres in district Jhansi.

This was a crosssectional study in district Jhansi from 2012–2013.20 subcentres were selected and ANMs from selected centres were interviewd.

All ANMs prepared the Sub-Centre plan for the year, they had due list of beneficiaries for all villages under subcentres. Supervision and record checking at periodic intervals by the male and female health supervisors from PHC (at least once a week) and by MO (at least once in a month) was done only at 50 -60% of subcentres. Citizen's charter in local language was displayed at none of subcentres. Availability of various guidelines issued by GOI or State Govt was absent in all subcentres.

The study concludes that monitoring of subcentres need to be strengthen to ensure efficient working of human resources and appropriate utilization of various services by community.