1Deputy CMOH, Howrah, West Bengal, Public Health & Administrative Services
2Airport Health Organisation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Sahar Approach Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400099
3Deputy Assistant Director of Health Services, West Bengal, Public Health & Administrative Services
Online published on 11 April, 2024.
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.
To study the socio-demographic profile, training status, opportunity and challenges of ASHAs working in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
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.
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.
ASHAs, Training need, Job Challenges, Opportunity, Murshidabad, West Bengal
