Maternal Health Services Received by Tribal Women from ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in Wayanad District, Kerala

Julee Joseph; Dr.A.Celine Rani

Volume : VII, Issue : I, January - 2018

Maternal Health Services Received by Tribal Women from ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in Wayanad District, Kerala

Julee Joseph, Dr. A. Celine Rani

Abstract :

Government of India launched National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005 to address the primary health needs of rural population, especially the vulnerable sections in the community. The new band of health volunteers namely Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) under NRHM form a link between the community and the health system. Among the various responsibilities, ASHAs are expected to provide certain basic services to women during pregnancy, delivery and post delivery period. This descriptive study was undertaken with the objective of identifying the services received by tribal women from ASHAs during their last pregnancy and child birth and the perceptions of these women about ASHAs’ services. Data were collected by interviewing a sample of 200 tribal mothers from a selected health block in Wayanad district. The results depicts that all these women were visited by their ASHA at their house during their last pregnancy. The services received by the tribal women during their last pregnancy were somewhat adequate to meet the maternal health needs during pregnancy. But the services received at the time of delivery and post natal period was not adequate. 69 percent of tribal mothers have positive perception about the services given by ASHAs. More concerted efforts are required to improve the provision of maternal health services to tribal women through ASHAs.