scholarly journals Self-reported practices and attitudes of community health workers (accredited social health activist) in tobacco control - Findings from two states in India

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Persai ◽  
Rajmohan Panda ◽  
ManuRaj Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Accredited Social Health Activist

scholarly journals Community Health Workers: Challenges and Vulnerabilities of Accredited Social Health Activists Working in Conflict-affected Settings in the State of Assam, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preety R Rajbangshi ◽  
Devaki Nambiar ◽  
Aradhana Srivast
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
East Region ◽  
Access To Health

Abstract Introduction:. It is well acknowledged that India’s Community Health workers known as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are the bedrock of its health system. Many ASHAs are currently working in fragile and conflict-affected settings. No efforts have yet been made to understand the challenges and vulnerabilities of these female workers. This paper seeks to address this gap by bringing attention to the situation of ASHAs working in the fragile and conflict settings and how conflict impacts them and their work. Methods: Qualitative fieldwork was undertaken in four conflict-affected villages in two conflict-affected districts -Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong of Assam state situated in the North-East region of India. Detailed account of four ASHAs from the majority (Bodo or Karbi) and minority (Adivasi or Koch) communities serving roughly 4000 people is presented. Data transliterated into English were analysed by authors by developing a codebook using grounded theory and thematic organisation of codes. Results: ASHAs reported facing challenges in ensuring access to health services during and immediately after outbreaks of conflict. They experienced difficulty in arranging transport and breakdown of services at remote health facilities. Their physical safety and security were at risk during episodes of conflict. ASHAs reported hostile attitudes of the communities they served due to the breakdown of social relations, trauma due to displacement, and loss of family members, particularly their husbands. Conclusion: Conflict must be recognised as an important context within which community health workers operate, with greater policy focus and research devoted to understanding and addressing the barriers they face as workers and as persons affected by conflict.

scholarly journals Community health workers in India: Challenges and vulnerabilities of Accredited Social Health Activists working in conflict-affected settings in the state of Assam, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preety R Rajbangshi ◽  
Devaki Nambiar ◽  
Aradhana Srivast
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
East Region

Abstract Introduction:. It is well acknowledged that India’s Community Health workers known as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are the bedrock of its health system. Many ASHAs are currently working in fragile and conflict-affected settings. No efforts have yet been made to understand the challenges and vulnerabilities of these female workers. This paper seeks to address this gap by bringing attention to the situation of ASHAs working in the fragile and conflict settings and how conflict impacts them and their work.Methods: Qualitative fieldwork was undertaken in four conflict-affected villages in two post-conflict districts -Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong of Assam state situated in the North-East region of India. Four ASHAs from the majority (Bodo or Karbi) and minority (Adivasi or Koch) communities serving roughly 4000 people were interviewed in their language of preference after administering written consent. Data transliterated into English were analysed by authors by developing a codebook using grounded theory and thematic organisation of codes. Results: ASHAs reported facing challenges in ensuring access to health services during and immediately after outbreaks of conflict. They experienced difficulty in arranging transport and breakdown of services at remote health facilities. Their physical safety and security were at risk during episodes of conflict. ASHAs reported hostile attitudes of the communities they served due to the breakdown of social relations, trauma due to displacement, and loss of family members, particularly their husbands. Conclusion: Conflict must be recognised as an important context within which community health workers operate, with greater policy focus and research devoted to understanding and addressing the barriers they face as workers and as persons affected by conflict.

scholarly journals Community health workers: challenges and vulnerabilities of Accredited Social Health Activists working in conflict-affected settings in the state of Assam, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Preety R Rajbangshi ◽  
Devaki Nambiar ◽  
Aradhana Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
East Region ◽  
Access To Health

Abstract Introduction It is well acknowledged that India’s community health workers known as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are the bedrock of its health system. Many ASHAs are currently working in fragile and conflict-affected settings. No efforts have yet been made to understand the challenges and vulnerabilities of these female workers. This paper seeks to address this gap by bringing attention to the situation of ASHAs working in the fragile and conflict settings and how conflict impacts them and their work. Methods Qualitative fieldwork was undertaken in four conflict-affected villages in two conflict-affected districts -Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong of Assam state situated in the North-East region of India. Detailed account of four ASHAs serving roughly 4000 people is presented. Data transliterated into English were analysed by authors by developing a codebook using grounded theory and thematic organisation of codes. Results ASHAs reported facing challenges in ensuring access to health services during and immediately after outbreaks of conflict. They experienced difficulty in arranging transport and breakdown of services at remote health facilities. Their physical safety and security were at risk during episodes of conflict. ASHAs reported hostile attitudes of the communities they served due to the breakdown of social relations, trauma due to displacement, and loss of family members, particularly their husbands. Conclusions Conflict must be recognised as an important context within which community health workers operate, with greater policy focus and research devoted to understanding and addressing the barriers they face as workers and as persons affected by conflict.

scholarly journals Interplaying role of healthcare activist and homemaker: a mixed-methods exploration of the workload of community health workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand Kawade ◽  
◽  
Manisha Gore ◽  
Pallavi Lele ◽  
Uddhavi Chavan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health System ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Nurse Midwife ◽  
Auxiliary Nurse

Abstract Background Globally, community health workers (CHWs) are integral contributors to many health systems. In India, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been deployed since 2005. Engaged in multiple health care activities, they are a key link between the health system and population. ASHAs are expected to participate in new health programmes prompting interest in their current workload from the perspective of the health system, community and their family. Methods This mixed-methods design study was conducted in rural and tribal Primary Health Centers (PHCs), in Pune district, Western Maharashtra, India. All ASHAs affiliated with these PHCs were invited to participate in the quantitative study, those agreeing to contribute in-depth interviews (IDI) were enrolled in an additional qualitative study. Key informants’ interviews were conducted with the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), Block Facilitators (BFF) and Medical Officers (MO) of the same PHCs. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results We recruited 67 ASHAs from the two PHCs. ASHAs worked up to 20 h/week in their village of residence, serving populations of approximately 800–1200, embracing an increasing range of activities, despite a workload that contributed to feelings of being rushed and tiredness. They juggled household work, other paid jobs and their ASHA activities. Practical problems with travel added to time involved, especially in tribal areas where transport is lacking. Their sense of benefiting the community coupled with respect and recognition gained in village brought happiness and job satisfaction. They were willing to take on new tasks. ASHAs perceived themselves as ‘voluntary community health workers’ rather than as ‘health activists”. Conclusions ASHAs were struggling to balance their significant ASHA work and domestic tasks. They were proud of their role as CHWs and willing to take on new activities. Strategies to recruit, train, skills enhancement, incentivise, and retain ASHAs, need to be prioritised. Evolving attitudes to the advantages/disadvantages of current voluntary status and role of ASHAs need to be understood and addressed if ASHAs are to be remain a key component in achieving universal health coverage in India.

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