Role perception and job performance of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Vijayapura district, Karnataka: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) play an important role in the implementation of Government of India health programmes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a conditional cash transfer scheme to incentivize women to give birth in a health facility. ASHAs work closely with other frontline health workers such as Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Anganawadi Workers (AWWs), who work in community childcare centres, to provide community-level healthcare. This study evaluates ASHA role perception and job performance. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried outthat surveyed 617 ASHAs. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the study objectives. The questionnaire was prepared in English and interviews were conducted in local Kannada language using verbal translation. Results 603 (97.7%) ASHAs had a positive attitude towards their role in mobilizing the community to access health services. This included 602 (97.5%) with a positive attitude towards antenatal care (ANC), 599 (97.08%) for institutional childbirth delivery, 597 (96.7%) for birth preparedness, 601 (97.4%) for newborn care and 600 (97.2%) towards exclusive breast feeding in the first six months of life. Nearly two-thirds of the ASHAs (405, 65.6%) reported being actively involved in distributing iron and folic acid supplements to pregnant women. The study found that ASHA job performance was significantly associated with age, days of training provided and duration of service as an ASHA. Conclusion Perception and performance in the study population was found to be good, however, refresher training regarding assigned duties, at definitive intervals, might yield even better results.

Keywords

• Accredited Social Care Activists (ASHA), Child health, Maternal health, Community health