A cross sectional study on the evaluation of MCH services provided by “ASHA” working at Urban Health Centers of Ahmedabad City, Gujarat

Abstract

Introduction: National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched by Indian Government with key feature of
introduction of a new designated health care worker – “Accredited Social Health Activist” (ASHA) who acts as interface
between community and public health system. Objectives: To assess knowledge about MCH related functions and to
estimate status of support to beneficiaries by “ASHAs”, To Assess Quality of Home Based New Borne Care performed by
ASHA and to find out impact of number of modular training rounds on knowledge and practices of ASHAs.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted during February 2019 to December 2020 using a mixed approach,
with a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods after approval of institutional Ethics committee. All
Urban Health Centres (UHC) under Municipal Corporation in Ahmedabad were covered. From each UHC, 2 ASHAs were
selected by lottery method. So, total 144 ASHAs were selected from 72 UHCs. Performance assessment was done by
direct interview with ASHA and their beneficiaries. Results: All 144 ASHAs were aware about responsibilities of
Antenatal-women registration and Immunization. Nearly all ASHAs (99.3%) knew about task of PNC registration.
Escorting to delivery and tertiary care centre, if complications arise was facilitated by 61.8% and 29.2% ASHAs
respectively. Conclusion: All ASHAs were aware of their major responsibilities related to MCH and also providing same in
their field area. Statistically significant association was observed between number of rounds for modular training
undertaken by ASHAs and knowledge and practice of ASHAs in context to various components of MCH care.