From theory to practice: Association between community health workers' home visit and neonatal morbidity in a rural area of North India

Abstract

BackgroundAverting the hospital admissions for morbidity by timely providing home-based care or referral in case of neonatal illness is important outcome of home visits by Accredited social health activists (ASHA) in India. ObjectiveTo determine the association between number of home visits by ASHA and identification of neonatal morbidity in 28 days of life in a north Indian Village. MethodsIt was a cross sectional survey including live births between August 2020 and January 2021 from a village in North India as study population. Taking estimated live births of the area the minimum study sample included was 120 to be covered in 2 months duration. ResultsAmong the 121 infants included in study the informants reported that 95% ASHA visited the home during neonatal period with 56.5% visits 4–6 times to single neonate. Any type of illness during neonatal period was reported by 21.5% informants. 69.2% (18/26) were visited by ASHA during the illness of neonate. 61.1% were referred by ASHA to nearest primary health center (11/18). 15.3% (4/26) underwent hospitalization for their illness and were cured. ASHA visiting a neonate 7–10 times in a month had 68% higher chances of identifying the signs of illness in the neonate (Adj OR (95% CI): 1.68 (0.12–23.26)). ConclusionThe community-based care by ASHA does reduce the risk of mortality however community has the right to choose the type of health facility and care for their newborns.