Utilization of ASHA services by the pregnant women of rural Tripura, India

Himadri Bhattacharya; Nimaichand Luwang; Mousumi Sarkar; Tanusree Chakraborty; Subrata Baidya

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20150606

Authors

Himadri Bhattacharya Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura
Nimaichand Luwang Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura
Mousumi Sarkar Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura
Tanusree Chakraborty Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura
Subrata Baidya Department of Community Medicine, Agartala Government Medical College, Agartala, Tripura

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20150606

Keywords:

ASHA, NRHM, JSY, Antenatal Care, Utilization

Abstract

Background: India’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) introduced Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) at the community level. Their vital role is to promote antenatal care and increase the utilization of the existing health services. The objectives were to find out utilization of ASHA services by the pregnant women and to study its determinants in rural area of Tripura, India.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted during February – April 2015 using a validated interview schedule among 306 recently delivered women residing in Mohanpur block of Tripura, chosen by multistage sampling.

Results: Utilization rate of ASHA services by pregnant women was found to be 89.7%. Pregnancy registration rate was 95% and 90% of these registrations were facilitated by ASHA. Adequate antenatal check-up rate facilitated by ASHA was 76.69%. Regarding Iron and Folic Acid prophylaxis, 67.88% of the adequate recipients were facilitated by ASHA. For laboratory tests, 80.23% of the women were motivated by ASHA. About 90% of the study women have heard about Janani Suraksha Yojona (JSY) scheme from ASHA and 70% of them got the benefit through ASHA. Literacy, parity, community, economic class, home visit by ASHA and family decision maker were identified as the significant determinants of utilization of ASHA services by the pregnant women.

Conclusions: Utilization rate of the ASHA services by the pregnant women needs improvement. Apart from IEC activities, active home visits by ASHA, empowering couples to make their own fertility decisions, improvement in female literacy etc. may enhance utilization of ASHA services by this community which will intern enhance maternal health care utilization.

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