Authors: Katherine Austin-Evelyn, Miriam Rabkin, Tonderayi Macheka, Anthony Mutiti, Judith Mwansa-Kambafwile, Thomas Dlamini, Wafaa M. El-Sadr
This study sought to understand CHW perspectives on a new primary health initiative in South Africa called Re-engineering Primary Health Care (rPHC). This initiative aims to provide a preventive and health-promoting community-based PHC model. Focus group discussions and surveys on the knowledge and attitudes of 91 CHWs working on community-based rPHC teams in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) sub-district of Eastern Cape Province were conducted. Results showed that CHWs enjoyed their work and found it meaningful, as they saw themselves as agents of change. CHWs also perceived weaknesses in the implementation of outreach team oversight, and desired field-based training and more supervision in the community. The authors discuss the need to provide CHWs with basic resources like equipment, supplies and transport to improve their acceptability and credibility to the communities they serve.
Link: Community health worker perspectives on a new primary health care initiative in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
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Resource Topic: CHW Role, Community Assessment, Community Health Workers/Volunteers, Prevention, Program Evaluation
Resource Type: Journal articles
Year: 2017
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: South Africa
Publisher May Restrict Access: No