Volume : 7, Issue : 1, January - 2018

Awareness, Performance and Problems of ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in Providing Maternal Health Services in the Tribal Areas of Wayanad District, Kerala

Julee Joseph, Dr. A. Celine Rani

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp; In order to meet the basic primary health care needs of the rural population of the country, Government of India introduced the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005.&nbsp; ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) are recruited under NRHM as a change agent who are expected to ing the reforms in improving the health status of oppressed community. The success of NRHM depends on how efficiently ASHAs are able to perform their duties to reach out to the rural deprived communities. The present study aims to assess the knowledge of ASHAs regarding maternal health services and their performance in the delivery of these services and to trace the problems faced by them in providing maternal health services in tribal areas. This descriptive study was conducted among a sample of 100 ASHAs working in the tribal areas of Wayanad district. Data on knowledge and problems were collected using a questionnaire and a rating scale was used to assess their performance. The results of the study depicts that ASHAs have very good knowledge in maternal health and their performance is rated at a moderate level by their supervisors. ASHAs face a number of problems in rendering maternal health services in tribal areas effectively. The main problems include poor and irregular remuneration, remoteness of the tribal hamlets and lack of transportation facility, hesitation of tribal women to avail the services and more responsibilities in other areas of health. ASHAs&rsquo; performance is found to be affected by increasing number of problems that they face. ASHAs&rsquo; performance in providing maternal health services to tribal women may be improved by taking appropriate steps in solving their grievances.</p>