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.