Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022
Abstract Background Since the inception of the ASHAs in the year 2005, their work horizons have increased from Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent health (RMNCH + A), Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (CD & NCD) to oral health, ophthalmologic care, and other supportiv...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12004-w |
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| author | Shambhavi Singh Bhaskar Tiwary Manish Barik Hemlata Arora Sruthi Susan Abraham Piyusha Majumdar Daliya Sebastian Svea Closser |
| author_facet | Shambhavi Singh Bhaskar Tiwary Manish Barik Hemlata Arora Sruthi Susan Abraham Piyusha Majumdar Daliya Sebastian Svea Closser |
| author_sort | Shambhavi Singh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Since the inception of the ASHAs in the year 2005, their work horizons have increased from Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent health (RMNCH + A), Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (CD & NCD) to oral health, ophthalmologic care, and other supportive community level healthcare services. The present literature lacks comprehensive understanding and synthesis of domain-wise knowledge of ASHAs and the factors affecting their knowledge. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize and collate the relevant evidence to understand the overall knowledge of ASHAs. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis sourced literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. Of the 1062 articles identified, 37 articles were selected for narrative synthesis and meta-analysis which focused on knowledge of ASHAs. In meta-analysis, pooled prevalence was estimated using the random effect model. Meta-analysis was performed using the statistical software R version. 3.6.1 for Microsoft Windows. Results The overall pooled prevalence of knowledge regarding maternal, neonatal/child health, communicable, and non-communicable diseases among ASHAs was 62%, 69%, 62%, and 73%, respectively. The level of education, years of experience, inadequate supervision, and training were the factors affecting their knowledge and subsequently its translation into practices within the community. The review also evidenced variation of knowledge among ASHAs across domains and geographical regions of India. Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis highlight that ASHAs have proven to be indispensable assets to India’s healthcare system with their strengths lying in maternal and child health programs. To further enhance their impact, it is imperative to invest in areas where they lack knowledge such as disease surveillance, and preventive healthcare. Empowering ASHAs with necessary resources, and training will not only enhance their capabilities but also contribute to the overall improvement of the healthcare system in India. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eab8ac5bc2934204b5fe800071fec94c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-eab8ac5bc2934204b5fe800071fec94c2025-01-12T12:13:03ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-01-0125111810.1186/s12913-024-12004-wKnowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022Shambhavi Singh0Bhaskar Tiwary1Manish Barik2Hemlata Arora3Sruthi Susan Abraham4Piyusha Majumdar5Daliya Sebastian6Svea Closser7Piramal Swasthya Management and Research InstituteMonitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Unit, CAREMeta Research and Evidence Synthesis Unit, Health System Sciences, The George Institute for Global HealthCommissionerate of Health and Medical Services, National Health MissionNational Program Management Unit, Clinton Health Access InitiativeS.D Gupta School of Public Health, IIHMR UniversityMonitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Unit, CAREDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins UniversityAbstract Background Since the inception of the ASHAs in the year 2005, their work horizons have increased from Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent health (RMNCH + A), Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (CD & NCD) to oral health, ophthalmologic care, and other supportive community level healthcare services. The present literature lacks comprehensive understanding and synthesis of domain-wise knowledge of ASHAs and the factors affecting their knowledge. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize and collate the relevant evidence to understand the overall knowledge of ASHAs. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis sourced literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. Of the 1062 articles identified, 37 articles were selected for narrative synthesis and meta-analysis which focused on knowledge of ASHAs. In meta-analysis, pooled prevalence was estimated using the random effect model. Meta-analysis was performed using the statistical software R version. 3.6.1 for Microsoft Windows. Results The overall pooled prevalence of knowledge regarding maternal, neonatal/child health, communicable, and non-communicable diseases among ASHAs was 62%, 69%, 62%, and 73%, respectively. The level of education, years of experience, inadequate supervision, and training were the factors affecting their knowledge and subsequently its translation into practices within the community. The review also evidenced variation of knowledge among ASHAs across domains and geographical regions of India. Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis highlight that ASHAs have proven to be indispensable assets to India’s healthcare system with their strengths lying in maternal and child health programs. To further enhance their impact, it is imperative to invest in areas where they lack knowledge such as disease surveillance, and preventive healthcare. Empowering ASHAs with necessary resources, and training will not only enhance their capabilities but also contribute to the overall improvement of the healthcare system in India.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12004-wASHACommunity Health WorkerFrontline Health WorkerMitatinsSahiyasKnowledge |
| spellingShingle | Shambhavi Singh Bhaskar Tiwary Manish Barik Hemlata Arora Sruthi Susan Abraham Piyusha Majumdar Daliya Sebastian Svea Closser Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 BMC Health Services Research ASHA Community Health Worker Frontline Health Worker Mitatins Sahiyas Knowledge |
| title | Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| title_full | Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| title_short | Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| title_sort | knowledge of accredited social health activists in india a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022 |
| topic | ASHA Community Health Worker Frontline Health Worker Mitatins Sahiyas Knowledge |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12004-w |
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