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

摘要

BackgroundAccredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) play an important role in theimplementation of Government of India health programmes such as JananiSuraksha Yojana (JSY), a conditional cash transfer scheme to incentivize womento give birth in a health facility. ASHAs work closely with other frontline healthworkers such as Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Anganawadi Workers(AWWs), who work in community childcare centres, to provide community-levelhealthcare. This study evaluates ASHA role perception and job performance.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried outthat surveyed 617 ASHAs. A pre-designed,semi-structured questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the studyobjectives. The questionnaire was prepared in English and interviews wereconducted in local Kannada language using verbal translation.Results603 (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 institutionalchildbirth delivery, 597 (96.7) for birth preparedness, 601 (97.4) for newborn care and 600 (97.2) towardsexclusive breast feeding in the first six months of life. Nearly two-thirds of the ASHAs (405, 65.6) reported beingactively involved in distributing iron and folic acid supplements to pregnant women. The study found that ASHA jobperformance was significantly associated with age, days of training provided and duration of service as an ASHA.ConclusionPerception and performance in the study population was found to be good, however, refresher training regardingassigned duties, at definitive intervals, might yield even better results.