Evidence

Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are frontline workers for health services delivery in India, providing a range of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition (RMNCH&N) services. ASHA workers act as the bridge between the community and health system; serving as health care facilitators, service providers, and health activists. This paper is the result of face-to-face surveys conducted to test the knowledge of a random cross-sectional sample of ASHAs (n = 1,552), and a follow-up test-retest survey administered within two weeks of the initial survey to a subsample of ASHAs (n = 173). The study also attempts to establish the possibility of delivering surveys through mobile phones as a rapid, and low cost method for knowledge assessment. The survey concludes that ASHAs may need additional training across a number of areas, including maternal health and family planning. These findings can inform design and implementation of programs for health workers and ultimately benefit RMNCH&N outcomes in India. 

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