International Journal of Advances in Social Sciences

Kunal Kanti De ¹, Dan Amitabh ², Roy Bibhash ³, A. R. Pasi ², M. Jalaluddeen ²

Affiliations
1 Howrah, West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services, IN
2 Airport Health Organisation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Sahar Approach Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099, IN
3 West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services

Abstract

Introduction: Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are community health workers. ASHAs play an important role in identifying child morbidity at the earliest and help in improving their health status. While working in the community ASHAs face certain challenges and need specific training to work effectively and efficiently. Present study was conducted to study the training need, challenges and opportunities faced by ASHAs while working in community. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile, training status, opportunity and challenges of ASHAs working in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among ASHAs in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. A total of 237 ASHAs were interviewed by using systematic random sampling. Data was collected by using pretested standard questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using Epi info. Results: Out of 237 ASHAs, Majority (n=208, 88%) received the recommended 23 or more days of training while the rest of them received less than 23 days of training. Non availability of transport for referring pregnant women for delivery (39%, n=93), and absence of services (n=83, 35%) or staff (n=36, 15%) at health facility were the main challenges faced by ASHAs while performing their work.

Keywords

ASHAs, Training Need, Job Challenges, Opportunity, Murshidabad, West Bengal.

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Kunal Kanti De ¹, Dan Amitabha ², Roy Bibhash ³, A. R. Pasi ², M. Jalaluddeen ⁴

Affiliations
1 Howrah, West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services, IN
2 Airport Health Organisation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Sahar Approach Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099
3 West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services
4 Airport Health Organisation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Sahar Approach Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099

Abstract

Introduction: Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are community health workers. ASHAs play an important role in identifying child morbidity at the earliest and help in improving their health status. While working in the community ASHAs face certain challenges and need specific training to work effectively and efficiently. Present study was conducted to study the training need, challenges and opportunities faced by ASHAs while working in community. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile, training status, opportunity and challenges of ASHAs working in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among ASHAs in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. A total of 237 ASHAs were interviewed by using systematic random sampling. Data was collected by using pretested standard questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using Epi info. Results: Out of 237 ASHAs, Majority (n=208, 88%) received the recommended 23 or more days of training while the rest of them received less than 23 days of training. Non availability of transport for referring pregnant women for delivery (39%, n=93), and absence of services (n=83, 35%) or staff (n=36, 15%) at health facility were the main challenges faced by ASHAs while performing their work.

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A. R. Pasi ¹, Dan Amitabha ¹, Kunal Kanti De ², Roy Bibhash ³, M. Jalaluddeen ¹

Affiliations
1 Airport Health Organisation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Sahar Approach Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400099, IN
2 West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services, Howrah, IN
3 West Bengal Public Health & Administrative Services, IN

Abstract

Background: In India ASHA programme was launched in 2006 to facilitate the delivery of mother and child health services in rural areas. We conducted a study in Murshidabad district of West Bengal to describe the knowledge and functioning of ASHAs in relation to maternal and child health care services. Methods: We interviewed 237 ASHAs working in Murshidabad district to collect information about the socio demographic details, job profiles, training, knowledge and functions and the challenges faced by them during working. Results: Most of the ASHAs conformed to the standard selection criteria in terms of age, marital status and education. One third ASHAs were Muslims in that district where two third of the population belonged to the same religious community. One third of them were not residents of their areas. Knowledge of ASHAs about breast feeding practices, low birth weight was below the expected. Conclusion: Vacant posts of ASHAs are to be filled up and their selection should be representative of the community they serve. It is to be ensured that their job profiles correspond to the national guidelines. Training to be arranged regularly to update their knowledge levels on home based maternal and neonatal care. They need encouragement for more home visits.

Keywords

Knowledge, Practice, ASHAs, Maternal and Child Health, Murshidabad.

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