Impact of incentivizing ASHAs on the outcome of persons with severe mental illness in a rural South Indian community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asian J Psychiatr
; 80: 103388, 2023 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36495728
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES:
Task shifting has been recommended as a strategy to reach out to persons with mental illness and bridge the treatment gap. There is a need to explore task-shifting using existing health staff like Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). We examined the impact of incentivizing ASHAs on the outcome of persons with severe mental illness (SMI) amidst the pandemic.METHODS:
One hundred eighty-four adults with SMI from Jagaluru taluk were enrolled and followed up for a year. They were assessed for disability, work performance, internalized stigma, and illness severity at baseline, six months, and 12 months follow-up. ASHA workers were incentivized to ensure follow-up consultations, address concerns regarding illness/ medication side effects and monitor medication adherence.RESULTS:
Out of the 184 recruited patients, 7 died (non-COVID-19 causes), 22 stopped treatment and did not report for follow-up consultations, 11 shifted to treatment from other centers, and in 1 case, there was a change in diagnosis. 143 (78%) patients with SMI completed the study amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. At one year follow-up, there was a significant reduction in disability, illness severity, self-stigma, and improved work performance.CONCLUSION:
Incentivization of ASHAs helped ensure continuity of care to persons with SMI despite lockdowns and COVID-19 exigencies. It is feasible to involve ASHAs in the treatment of persons with SMI.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
/
4_TD
Problema de salud:
1_doencas_transmissiveis
/
2_enfermedades_transmissibles
/
2_muertes_prematuras_enfermedades_notrasmisibles
/
4_pneumonia
Asunto principal:
COVID-19
/
Trastornos Mentales
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Asian J Psychiatr
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article