Burnout among ASHA workers: Challenges in rural healthcare delivery

Burnout is a menace affecting healthcare employees, which include Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in India. ASHAs are important segment in rural healthcare by promoting maternal and infant fitness, accomplishing immunization applications, and educating groups. However, they face multiple stressors which includes low remuneration, excessive workloads, lack of formal employment provisions, and resistance from community members. These demanding situations make ASHAs particularly vulnerable to burnout, that could result in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. In this cross-sectional study, we tried to assess the degrees of burnout among ASHA workers in Shimoga with use of Maslach Burnout Inventory and semi-structured sociodemographic data sheet. The findings display that as burnout severity increase, both occupational exhaustion and depersonalization results in decline in personal accomplishment. At better ranges of burnout, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization notably reduce ASHAs' sense of personal accomplishment and professional competence.