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Health Research Policy and Systems
Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Review

Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective

Authors: Kerry Scott, Asha S. George, Rajani R. Ved

Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

As India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) community health worker (CHW) programme enters its second decade, we take stock of the research undertaken and whether it examines the health systems interfaces required to sustain the programme at scale.

Methods

We systematically searched three databases for articles on ASHAs published between 2005 and 2016. Articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent analysis using an inductive CHW–health systems interface framework.

Results

A total of 122 academic articles were identified (56 quantitative, 29 mixed methods, 28 qualitative, and 9 commentary or synthesis); 44 articles reported on special interventions and 78 on the routine ASHA program. Findings on special interventions were overwhelmingly positive, with few negative or mixed results. In contrast, 55% of articles on the routine ASHA programme showed mixed findings and 23% negative, with few indicating overall positive findings, reflecting broader system constraints. Over half the articles had a health system perspective, including almost all those on general ASHA work, but only a third of those with a health condition focus. The most extensively researched health systems topics were ASHA performance, training and capacity-building, with very little research done on programme financing and reporting, ASHA grievance redressal or peer communication. Research tended to be descriptive, with fewer influence, explanatory or exploratory articles, and no predictive or emancipatory studies. Indian institutions and authors led and partnered on most of the research, wrote all the critical commentaries, and published more studies with negative results.

Conclusion

Published work on ASHAs highlights a range of small-scale innovations, but also showcases the challenges faced by a programme at massive scale, situated in the broader health system. As the programme continues to evolve, critical comparative research that constructively feeds back into programme reforms is needed, particularly related to governance, intersectoral linkages, ASHA solidarity, and community capacity to provide support and oversight.
Appendix
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Footnotes
1
Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 
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Metadata
Title
Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective
Authors
Kerry Scott
Asha S. George
Rajani R. Ved
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health Research Policy and Systems / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1478-4505
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0427-0

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