Inputs from ASHAs to shape AI-enabled training platform for cervical cancer screening in Assam
About 110 Accredited Social Health Activists in Barak Valley collaborated with doctors, programmers, and researchers to help design the digital tools
The experiences of around 110 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Assam will guide the creation of an AI-enabled training platform and a multilingual voice chatbot to enhance cervical cancer screening and community counseling in rural areas. The George Institute for Global Health India and Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Assam's Barak Valley will develop these digital tools using inputs from ASHAs.
During a recent workshop in Silchar, ASHAs shared their challenges, the support they need, and how technology could simplify their community visits and counseling. They reviewed 155 common questions about cervical cancer and screening, using a voting system to identify the most frequently asked ones in the field. These insights will help shape the chatbot's knowledge base to address both crucial health information and practical concerns faced by ASHAs.
Project principal investigator Anita Gadgil emphasized that the workshop aimed to design technology for ASHAs by ASHAs, ensuring the platform's language, content, and functions meet their needs. The ASHAs also discussed their comfort and confidence with digital technology, noting that younger and middle-aged ASHAs regularly use mobile phones for reporting, communication, and accessing information.
However, older ASHAs found digital tools and language more challenging but expressed a willingness to learn. ASHAs mapped out their career paths, including training, staying updated, counseling on pregnancy, childbirth, test results, and referrals. They highlighted the importance of voice-based interactions in the local language, simple-language content, and search functions that reflect their natural way of asking questions.
They also suggested features such as short audio-visual lessons, FAQs, reminders, quizzes, and progress tracking. Cervical cancer remains a significant health issue in India, and gaps in awareness and screening hinder early detection. ASHAs play a crucial role in bridging this gap by reaching women in their communities, explaining screening procedures, and connecting them to care.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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