On the front line of primary health care: the profile of community health workers in rural Quechua communities in Peru

Authors: Brown, A., Malca, R., Zumaran, A. and Miranda, J.

This article profiles CHWs, including health promoters, traditional birth attendants and traditional healers, serving rural Quechua communities from Ayacucho, Peru. It uses both quantitative and qualitative information from questionnaires, personal interviews and group discussions conducted in 40 communities. The majority of CHWs in Ayacucho are men with limited education who are primarily Quechua speakers. However, health promoters were typically young and high school graduates, while traditional healers and birth attendants were generally older and illiterate. The health promoters also had higher drop-out rates during the study period. The authors conclude that is important to be aware of the profile of CHWs in order to provide appropriate alternatives when working with them and their communities.