An assessment of performance based incentive system for ASHA Sahyogini in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the performance based incentive system for ASHA Sahyogini in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in three blocks (one each from rural, urban and tribal area) of Udaipur district during October-December 2008. From each block 60 ASHAs were selected randomly, thus a tola of 180 ASHAs were included. Besides interviewing the ASHAs, focus group discussions were also conducted for primary data collection. The study assessed the performance based incentives system to ASHAs during the last six months.

RESULTS

The study revealed that almost 50% ASHA's in the studied blocks were covering population ranging from 1000-1500. All the ASHA has good coordination with local community and they are participating in community meetings regularly. All the ASHAs received incentives for the cases of sterilization; 55.5 percent urban, 85.7 percent rural and 82.7% tribal ASHAs received it on the same day when sterilization was done. Half of the urban, 35% of the rural and 56.7% of tribal ASHAs got incentive less than Rs. 250 in last 6 months (less than 50/- per month). Common cause identified for dissatisfaction was less incentives compared to their work, especially for the ASHA working in tribal areas.

CONCLUSION

Timely release of incentives, adequate cooperation from staff such as ANMs, AWW, hospital staff and improved community awareness are needed for better performance of ASHAs.