Who are the real community health workers in Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Authors: Sarah L Dalglish, Sarah Straubinger, Justine A Kavle, Lacey Gibson, Evariste Mbombeshayi, Jimmy Anzolo, Kerry Scott, Michel Pacqué

There has been a growing trend of task shifting in primary health care services including the use of community health workers (CHWs) in diagnosis of childhood illness. This study examines the role of traditional healers, their ability to meet the needs of families within communities and their integration into the health system in Tshopo through 127 in depth interviews with community members and health providers. It compares their performance to those of CHWs.