The problems faced by ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist)—A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are one of the key components of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme. ASHA being the grass root level worker, the success of NHM depends on how efficiently is ASHA able to perform. The study has been conducted with aim of exploring the problems faced by ASHAs in performing their duties. A semi-structured interview schedule has been prepared. Purposive sampling was employed to identify 08 (eight) ASHAs. Data was collected using 2 (two) self-reporting methods, that is focused group discussion (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. The following were the themes that emerged from the study: (1) Awareness and perception of ASHAs regarding their duties, (2) Challenges—A ASHA Faces, (3) Communication with Higher Authority, Peer Group and Community, (4) Credibility in the Community. Conceptual Framework for problems faced by ASHAs was developed from themes, on the basis of discussion of the themes in relation to the theories, studies and literature already available.