Authors: Ibukun Owoputi, John Hoddinott, Rosemary Kayanda, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Katherine Dickin
Community health workers (CHWs) provide education and health information to families. In large geographic areas, CHWs often need to decide which households to visit, but the factors influencing these decisions are not well understood. This study examined how CHWs in rural Tanzania decide which households to visit and assessed the coverage of these visits. This cross-sectional study used a mix of methods, including household censuses, surveys with women and CHWs, and interviews with CHWs. Household locations were also recorded. Only 13% of eligible households reported receiving a visit from a CHW. CHWs were more likely to visit households with infants but often missed other priority groups like poor and food-insecure households. Distance was a major barrier, with CHWs struggling to visit households that were far away. CHWs were motivated but faced challenges, especially with households lacking economic resources or where mothers had no formal education. Programs need to set realistic expectations for volunteer CHWs, who often have full-time jobs. Additional support could help CHWs reach and assist the households that need it most.
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Resource Topic: Maternal healthcare, Nutrition
Resource Type: Mixed Methods
Year: 2024
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Tanzania
Publisher May Restrict Access: No