Supporting Psychological Empowerment and Effort Allocation Choices through Mission-Engagement among Community Health Activists in India
Supporting Psychological Empowerment and Effort Allocation Choices through Mission-Engagement among Community Health Activists in India
Year: September 2024
Funder: The Agency Fund and Max Institute of Healthcare Management, Indian School of Business
Team: Sarang Deo, Leena Kinger Hans
Background
India’s National Health mission engages close to one million Accredited Social Health Activists, popularly known as ASHAs. Despite their crucial role in community healthcare, anecdotal evidence suggests that the protocols requiring excessive record keeping and monitoring undermine their confidence and agency. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop interventions that enhance their self-belief, making them effective agents of change.
About the Study
Leveraging insights from the previous study, this study aims to enhance the effectiveness of ASHAs through a 'mission-engagement' intervention. Using the Self Determination Theory approach, the mission-engagement aims to enhance Community Health Workers’, such as ASHAs, experience of autonomy by changing their perceived locus of causality, competence by experiencing the results of their work, and relatedness by feeling connected to others who share the mission. This will empower them psychologically, making them active agents of change with ability to foster better outcomes within their communities.
Methodology
The study uses a Randomized Controlled Trial design to test the intervention which is a combination of three in-person workshops, reinforced by the deployment of a digital tool to facilitate ASHAs’ mission reflection and engagement asynchronously in collaboration with a community-based NGO - Innovators in Health.
Intended Outcome
By equipping the ASHAs with the tools for self-directed action and strengthening their belief in the mission, we aim to enhance the quality of their engagement, making them more resilient and impactful in their roles, especially regarding their contribution in enhancing access and utilisation of care for the marginalised and underserved.