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Introduction <p>Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) play a vital role in bridging the gap between rural communities and the public healthcare system. Through the Mobile Solutions Aiding Knowledge for Health Improvement (M-SAKHI) clustered randomized controlled trial, ASHAs were equipped with a mobile application for real-time data collection and face-to-face counselling. This study evaluates the app’s impact on participants’ knowledge, skills, and acceptance in the intervention arm using a pre‑post evaluation design.</p> Methods <p>Knowledge was assessed using multiple-choice pre and post-test questionnaires. ASHA skills were continuously evaluated across five domains: (1) participation in meetings/trainings, (2) server monitoring of activities, (3) App and phone operating skills, (4) 5% random checks, and (5) field supervision feedback. ASHA’s Performance was graded as poor, satisfactory, or good based on performance scores. Feedback was collected on M-SAKHI training, mobile and App usability, and preferred features in the App using a 3-point Likert scale.</p> Results <p>Knowledge assessment showed a significant decline in the ASHAs’ scoring in “Poor” category 18.7% (p &lt; 0.001) [pretest 32% (48/150) vs post-test 13.3% (20/150)] and a 14% (p &lt; 0.001) increase in the number of ASHAs scoring “Good” category [pretest 4.7% (7/150) vs post-test 19.3% 29/150)]. Only a fifth displayed poor performance in skills assessment across attributes. Data or device misuse was limited to 6.7% (10/150). Over 90% (139/150) of ASHAs could operate the device and App independently; nearly all found the App’s content user-friendly and easy to understand.</p> Conclusion <p>The M-SAKHI app was associated with improvements in ASHAs’ knowledge and enhanced their implementation capacity. With the very high acceptance of mHealth technology by ASHA workers, this shows promise in empowering ASHAs to deliver services more effectively in rural settings.</p> <p> Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2018/02/011915 [Registered on: 15/02/2018] <a href="https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/searchbyctri.php">https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/searchbyctri.php</a></p>

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Assessment of knowledge, skills and acceptance of the M-SAKHI mHealth App by Indian maternal and child health community workers using a pre and post-evaluation design

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月21日

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  • Archana Patel,
  • Priyanka Kuhite,
  • Samreen Sadaf Khan,
  • Michael Dibley

摘要

Introduction

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) play a vital role in bridging the gap between rural communities and the public healthcare system. Through the Mobile Solutions Aiding Knowledge for Health Improvement (M-SAKHI) clustered randomized controlled trial, ASHAs were equipped with a mobile application for real-time data collection and face-to-face counselling. This study evaluates the app’s impact on participants’ knowledge, skills, and acceptance in the intervention arm using a pre‑post evaluation design.

Methods

Knowledge was assessed using multiple-choice pre and post-test questionnaires. ASHA skills were continuously evaluated across five domains: (1) participation in meetings/trainings, (2) server monitoring of activities, (3) App and phone operating skills, (4) 5% random checks, and (5) field supervision feedback. ASHA’s Performance was graded as poor, satisfactory, or good based on performance scores. Feedback was collected on M-SAKHI training, mobile and App usability, and preferred features in the App using a 3-point Likert scale.

Results

Knowledge assessment showed a significant decline in the ASHAs’ scoring in “Poor” category 18.7% (p < 0.001) [pretest 32% (48/150) vs post-test 13.3% (20/150)] and a 14% (p < 0.001) increase in the number of ASHAs scoring “Good” category [pretest 4.7% (7/150) vs post-test 19.3% 29/150)]. Only a fifth displayed poor performance in skills assessment across attributes. Data or device misuse was limited to 6.7% (10/150). Over 90% (139/150) of ASHAs could operate the device and App independently; nearly all found the App’s content user-friendly and easy to understand.

Conclusion

The M-SAKHI app was associated with improvements in ASHAs’ knowledge and enhanced their implementation capacity. With the very high acceptance of mHealth technology by ASHA workers, this shows promise in empowering ASHAs to deliver services more effectively in rural settings.

Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2018/02/011915 [Registered on: 15/02/2018] https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/searchbyctri.php