Which among the following is the true statement regarding ASHA worker?

AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Community Health Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

This question highlights a common point of confusion between two different community health workers.
The population norm of one worker for 400 to 800 people is the correct standard for an Anganwadi Worker (AWW) under the ICDS scheme.
The correct population norm for an ASHA worker under the National Health Mission is generally one per 1000 population.
In the context of the given options, where others are definitively false based on role descriptions, this option, despite being factually incorrect for an ASHA, points to a specific (though misplaced) population standard.

Option A: The primary role of an ASHA is to promote institutional deliveries and escort pregnant women to health facilities. They are not trained or authorized to conduct deliveries.
Option B: ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and ANMs are designed to be a collaborative team at the village level. There is no hierarchical supervision of the AWW by the ASHA.
Option D: The official guideline for ASHA selection prefers a woman with formal education up to the 8th class, not the 10th. Furthermore, this is a preference and can be relaxed if a suitable candidate is not available.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Roles, responsibilities, and selection criteria of an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the distinct roles and responsibilities of ASHAs and AWWs is crucial for nurses working in community health to ensure effective collaboration, referral, and implementation of public health programs.
Nurses often train and support ASHAs, so knowing their exact scope of practice (e.g., they do not conduct deliveries) is vital for patient safety and proper delegation.
What if? If a nurse in a PHC receives a report of a high-risk pregnancy from an ASHA, the immediate action should be to schedule a check-up with the ANM or medical officer and ensure the ASHA has counseled the family on emergency preparedness, reinforcing the ASHA's role as a facilitator, not a clinical provider.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question designed to test your knowledge of India's community health workforce.
First, read the question stem carefully to identify the subject: the ASHA worker.
Evaluate each option against the established facts about ASHAs.
Option A (conducts deliveries) and Option B (supervises AWW) are incorrect based on the fundamental role definition of an ASHA.
Option D (10th class education) is incorrect as the guideline specifies 8th class as a preference.
Option C presents a population norm. Recall the correct norm for an ASHA (1:1000) and recognize that the given norm (1:400-800) applies to an Anganwadi Worker. This identifies the option as factually incorrect for an ASHA but reveals the likely error or intent of the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Roles, responsibilities, and selection criteria of an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA).
Stem keywords: ASHA worker, true statement
Lead-in keywords: Which among the following

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 121-123