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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 10/2020

01-10-2020 | Mood Disorders | Original Paper

The association between social support through contacts with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and antenatal anxiety among women in Mysore, India: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Nivedita L. Bhushan, Karl Krupp, Poornima Jaykrishna, Kavitha Ravi, Anisa Khan, Rahul Shidhaye, Sandra Kiplagat, Vijaya Srinivas, Purnima Madhivanan

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 10/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

In India, antenatal anxiety prevalence estimates range from 6 to 48%. Social support is strongly associated with mental wellbeing, yet most studies have examined the impact of support from partners and family members rather than peers, community members, or health care providers. This study explores the supportive role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) contacts for antenatal anxiety.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the Saving Children, Improving Lives project, a quasi-experimental study conducted among rural, pregnant women in India. Regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals for the relationship frequency of ASHA contacts and antenatal anxiety. Antenatal anxiety was measured using a subscale of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Results

The sample consisted of 480 pregnant women. Reported antenatal anxiety prevalence was 27% (95% CI 23%, 31%). Participants who were more frequently visited by ASHAs at home (aPR: 0.90; 95% CI 0.76, 0.98) and more frequently accompanied by ASHAs to their antenatal care visits (aPR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.78, 0.95) were less likely to report antenatal anxiety. ASHA home visits were protective for the most vulnerable women (primigravida and those experiencing domestic violence) and ASHA accompaniment to antenatal care visits was equally protective for all women.

Conclusions

ASHAs are valued for their contribution towards maternal health education and linking women of reproductive age to healthcare services. Our findings additionally suggest the important role ASHAs play in providing social support to pregnant women, particularly those who are most vulnerable to experiencing antenatal anxiety.
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Metadata
Title
The association between social support through contacts with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and antenatal anxiety among women in Mysore, India: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Nivedita L. Bhushan
Karl Krupp
Poornima Jaykrishna
Kavitha Ravi
Anisa Khan
Rahul Shidhaye
Sandra Kiplagat
Vijaya Srinivas
Purnima Madhivanan
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01854-4

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