Authors: James Wintrup
This article analyzes a randomized control trial that aimed to identify the best community health workers in Zambia. The RCT compared CHW recruits from two different poster campaigns: the “go-getters,” who were recruited from a poster emphasizing the potential career path of CHWs, and the “do-gooders,” who were recruited from posters that highlighted the ability of CHWs to help their community. Overall, RCT researchers concluded that the “go-getters” group was most effective. In 2013, the Zambian government used the results of the RCT to recruit CHWs but failed at establishing a CHW career ladder, therefore impacting the resulting outcomes achieved. Considering this example, authors discuss whether RCTs, such as the one described above, can be used to improve policy making.
Link: Promising careers? A critical analysis of a randomised control trial in community health worker recruitment in Zambia
Resource Topic: CHW, Policy, Recruitment strategies
Resource Type: Commentary
Year: 2022
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Zambia
Publisher May Restrict Access: No