Utilization of ASHA services under NRHM in relation to maternal health in rural Lucknow, India

Authors

  • Manish K Singh Department of Community Medicine, BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, UP
  • JV Singh Department of Community Medicine, Chattrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University (Formerly King George Medical University), Lucknow, UP
  • Rema Kumari Department of Community Medicine, Chattrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University (Formerly King George Medical University), Lucknow, UP
  • Naim Ahmad Department of Community Medicine, Chattrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University (Formerly King George Medical University), Lucknow, UP
  • Anish Khanna Department of Community Medicine, Chattrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University (Formerly King George Medical University), Lucknow, UP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15261

Keywords:

Maternal health, ASHA, NRHM, Antenatal care, Postnatal care

Abstract

To address poor utilization of maternal and child health services by the rural community, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched in 2005 in India. Under NRHM, ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) was identified as an effective link between the government and poor pregnant women.  The aim of the present study was to examine the utilization of ASHA services under NRHM in relation to maternal health by the Recently Delivered Women (RDW) in the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted at PHC Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow and its rural field areas. A sample of 350 RDW, chosen by simple random sampling, were interviewed at bedside by a preformed schedule and then were followed up after six weeks. Antenatal registration was reported by 97% RDW of which 73% registered early. About 53% RDW had three or more antenatal care visits. Two dose Tetanus Toxoid coverage was 92.9%. Receipt and consumption of iron and folic acid was low. ASHA was the major facilitator for higher utilization of antenatal care services, except for Iron and Folic Acid receipt/consumption.  Low utilization of postnatal care (21.5% RDW had at least one postnatal check-up) is a matter of concern. Knowledge and awareness of ASHA on importance of postnatal care needs to be enhanced via hands on training by specialists and regular orientation programs. Better and intense advocacy in the community regarding importance of availing services of ASHA in relation to maternal health needs to be addressed.

South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 24-27

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15261

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
255
PDF
147

Downloads

Published

2013-06-11

How to Cite

Singh, M. K., Singh, J., Kumari, R., Ahmad, N., & Khanna, A. (2013). Utilization of ASHA services under NRHM in relation to maternal health in rural Lucknow, India. South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 24–27. https://doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15261

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Research

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).