Knowledge-practice gaps existed among mothers counselled by ASHAs. Poor utilization of reproductive and child health services decreased opportunities for ASHA-mother dialogue on safe practices. Recommendations included training ANMs, training TBAs as ASHAs, innovative communication strategies for ASHAs and improved referral system.

Introduction: In India, even today regressive socio-cultural norms pertaining to menstruation continue to thrive in many parts. The government in Rajasthan has been distributing sanitary napkins to girls in the age group 10-19 years through the Education & ICDS department since 2018. This study assesses utilization and acceptance of the sanitary pads distributed frees of cost among adolescents and at a nominal rate to women and identifies the challenges in observing menstrual hygiene practices in semi arid areas. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 15-45 years in six urban wards and six sub- centre villages under the Rural Health and training Centre(RHTC) Gundoj. Keeping power of study at 80% adding the 10% non-response, 50% prevalence for hygienic menstrual practices, a sample size of 384 participants was taken, 192 each from rural and urban areas with 50% of the participants being school going girls. Results: Among school going participants 184 ( 95.8%) in urban areas and 169(88%) were utilizing the free sanitary pads distributed in schools, rest used locally purchased “red cloth”. Average level of hygiene practices was comparatively more among urban participants 173(90%) than rural women 77(40.1%) (p value<0.05).During menstruation performing religious activities, doing idol worship, eating and drinking water with family was taboo among 92% of both urban and rural respondents. Conclusion: Distribution of sanitary pads in schools is a successful intervention in Pali District. However, knowledge of healthy menstrual hygiene practices was low (23%) among rural women. Disposal of used pads and attitude towards social taboos need to be addressed in the rural areas of the district with better convergence between Education, ICDS and Health department for advocacy of healthy menstrual hygiene practices.

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Background: Mapping of resources helps us in identifying those resources which can be used more pragmatically, for interventions and programs related to human health especially during emergency conditions. Resource mapping identifies the resources that can realistically be used for health related interventions, programs and during an emergency. Aim and Objectives: The primary objective was to locate the basic healthcare related resources available in that area. Secondary objectives were to Understand and compare these resources along certain important dimensions using qualitative research methods and to identify possible existing gaps, share the results with the local stakeholders and suggest effective interventions. Material & Methods: Manual mapping method was used to locate the available healthcare related services in urban slum area. FGDs were held to compare utilization of resources along eight dimensions. In depth interviews were held with existing healthcare service providers, stakeholders and local residents to assess their utilization and needs. Results Existing health services used by community were local herbal clinic, district hospital, Anganwadi Centre, mobile clinic, wellness clinic and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur. Conclusions The manual mapping and qualitative techniques used showed that existing resources lacked in (a) providing in situ primary care (b) clinical services by a female gynecologist (c) health education services to address existing drug addiction and substance abuse.This exercise helped in rapid need assessment and prioritizing of interventions.