Under NUHM in urban area one ASHA for how many population?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

Explanation

Under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), an ASHA (often called an Urban Social Health Activist or USHA) is assigned to a specific population size in urban poor settlements.
The official guideline is one ASHA for a population of 1,000 to 2,500 people.
This population range is estimated to cover approximately 200 to 500 households, making this the correct coverage norm.

Option A: This range represents a population smaller than the minimum threshold of 1,000 people specified under NUHM guidelines.
Option C: This represents only the upper limit of the correct range. The option '200-500 households' is more precise as it captures the full, flexible guideline.
Option D: This would cover a population of approximately 4,000-5,000 people, which is too large for a single community health volunteer to manage effectively.

Visual 1: Chart: Comparison of Health Worker Norms (ASHA, ANM) in Rural (NRHM) vs. Urban (NUHM) settings, showing population coverage for each.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain ASHA population norms under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding ASHA coverage norms is crucial for community health nurses and program managers to plan and implement outreach services, ensuring equitable access to healthcare for vulnerable urban populations.
These norms directly impact the workload of ASHAs and their ability to effectively deliver services like maternal and child health tracking, immunization promotion, and health education.
What if? If an area is a densely populated slum with over 3,000 people in 500 households, the NUHM guidelines allow for flexibility, and a second ASHA might be appointed to ensure adequate coverage and prevent burnout.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'NUHM', 'urban area', and 'ASHA'.
Recall the specific population norms established under the National Urban Health Mission, as they differ from the rural (NRHM) norms.
The question asks for the number of households, not population. Remember the conversion: the NUHM guideline is 1,000-2,500 people, which translates to approximately 200-500 households.
Compare this recalled information with the given options to find the correct range.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: ASHA population norms under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
Stem keywords: NUHM, urban area, ASHA, population, households
Lead-in keywords: how many
Negative lead-in flag: false

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