Socio-demographic Profile of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) of Jaipur City
Abstract
Government of India launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on 12th April 2005, to provide accessible, accountable, affordable, effective and reliable primary health care, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population. And ASHAs are a ‘bridge’ or an interface between the community and health service outlets. NHM set some standard for ASHAs. So this study was conducted to assess the socio demographic profile in Rajasthan. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 172 ASHAs working in Jaipur city. Majority were in the age group of 26-45 years but few were <25 years and >45 years. Majority of ASHAs were having their family size 5-8 . About only one fifth of ASHAs were middle pass otherwise others were more than middle. Majority (91.8%) of ASHAs were married remaining very few were either widowed, divorcees or unmarried and majority i.e.101 (58.72%) were having 1-2 children. Likewise, majority 42.44% of ASHA were having 25-48 months (2-4 years) service and majority (69.77%) trained by ASHA Supervisor in this study but remaining were trained either of MOs, CDPOs, LHVs, LSs and ANMs Although majority 86.05% were not doing other job simultaneously with ASHA job.
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Introduction
Government of India launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) on 12th April 2005, to provide accessible, accountable, affordable, effective and reliable primary health care, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.1,2
One of the key strategies under the NRHM is having a community health worker who is an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) for every village with a population of 1000. These ASHA workers should preferably be female, in the 25-45 years age group and have a qualification of at least eighth class.3
Accredited means recognized by the community, Social means she is from the same community, by the community and for the community, Health Activist means she has to spread awareness for health concerns and promotes change in health related practices.4
These village level community health workers would act as a ‘bridge’ or an interface between the rural people and health service outlets and would play a central role, in achieving national health and population policy goals.5,6
They can play an important role in identifying problems at the earliest and help in improving community health status.
Conclusion
Majority were in the age group of 26-45 years but few were <25 years and >45 years. Majority of ASHAs were having their family size 5-8 . About only one fifth of ASHAs were middle pass otherwise others were more than middle. Majority (91.8%) of ASHAs were married remaining very few were either widowed, divorcees or unmarried and majority i.e.101 (58.72%) were having 1-2 children. Likewise, majority 42.44% of ASHA were having 25-48 months (2-4 years) service and majority (69.77%) trained by ASHA Supervisor in this study but remaining were trained either of MOs, CDPOs, LHVs, LSs and ANMs Although majority 86.05% were not doing other job simultaneously with ASHA job.