How should community health workers in fragile contexts be supported: qualitative evidence from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo

Raven, Joanna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4112-6959, Wurie, Haja, Idriss, Ayesha, Jawo Bah, Abdulai, Baba, Amuda, Nallo, Gartee, Kollie, Karsor, Dean, Laura ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4910-9707, Steege, Rosie, Martineau, Tim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4833-3149 and Theobald, Sally ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9053-211X (2020) 'How should community health workers in fragile contexts be supported: qualitative evidence from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo'. Human Resources for Health, Vol 18, Issue 58.

	Text Manuscript final for library 20.7.2020.docx - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (87kB)
Preview	Text Raven-2020-How-should-community-health-workers.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (827kB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are critical players in fragile settings, where staff shortages are particularly acute, health indicators are poor and progress towards Universal Health Coverage is slow. Like other health workers, CHWs need support to contribute effectively to health programmes and promote health equity. Yet the evidence base of what kind of support works best is weak. We present evidence from three fragile settings - Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo on managing CHWs, and synthesise recommendations for best approaches to support this critical cadre.
Methods: We used a qualitative study design to explore how CHWs are managed, the challenges they face and potential solutions. We conducted interviews with decision makers and managers (n=37), life history interviews with CHWs (n=15) and reviewed policy documents.
Results: Fragility disrupts education of community members so that they may not have the literacy levels required for the CHW role. This has implications for the selection, role, training and performance of CHWs. Policy preferences about selection need discussion at the community level, so that they reflect community realities. CHWs scope of work is varied and may change over time, requiring ongoing training. The modular, local, and mix of practical and classroom training approach worked well, helping to address gender and literacy challenges and developing a supportive cohort of CHWs. A package of supervision, community support, regular provision of supplies, performance rewards and regular remuneration is vital to retention and performance of CHWs. But there are challenges with supervision, scarcity of supplies, inadequate community recognition and unfulfilled promises about allowances. Clear communication about incentives with facility staff and communities is required as is their timely delivery.
Conclusions: This is the first study that has explored the management of CHWs in fragile settings. CHWs interface role between communities and health systems is critical because of their embedded positionality and the trusting relationships they (often) have. Their challenges are aligned to those generally faced by CHWs but chronic fragility exacerbates them and requires innovative problem solving to ensure that countries and communities are not left behind in reforming the way that CHWs are supported.
Keywords: Community Health Workers, management support, fragile settings.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 21.5 Allied health personnel. Allied health professions WA Public Health > WA 20.5 Research (General) WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 546 Local Health Administration. Community Health Services
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-020-00494-8
Depositing User:	Jan Randles
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2020 09:07
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2023 07:50
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/15078

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item