Authors: Adelaide M Lusambili , Njeri Nyanja, Sophie Vusha Chabeda, Marleen Temmerman, Lucy Nyaga, Jerim Obure, and Anthony Ngugi
Although community health volunteers are key in providing healthcare to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), retention of CHVs can be difficult. Income-generating activities (IGAs) have been known to decrease turnover rates. The authors of this study examined barriers to income generation experienced by CHVs in rural Kenya, as well as their preferred IGAs. They found that the work of CHVs can interfere with daily living activities such as child care and that an increased workload from lack of supervision and isolation also presents a significant barrier. These findings call for CHV program developers to consider ways in which to support CHVs through IGAs (farming, events management) so they are better equipped to provide necessary care to their communities.
Link: Community health volunteers challenges and preferred income generating activities for sustainability: a qualitative case study of rural Kilifi, Kenya
Resource Topic: Community Health Workers/Volunteers, Sustainability, income-generating activities
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2021
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Kenya
Publisher May Restrict Access: No