Health surveillance assistants as intermediates between the community and health sector in Malawi: exploring how relationships influence performance

Kok, Maryse C, Namakhoma, Ireen, Nyirenda, Lot, Chikaphupha, Kingsley, Broerse, Jacqueline E W, Dieleman, Marjolein, Taegtmeyer, Miriam ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5377-2536 and Theobald, Sally ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9053-211X (2016) 'Health surveillance assistants as intermediates between the community and health sector in Malawi: exploring how relationships influence performance'. BMC Health Services Research, Vol 16, Issue 1, p. 164.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND
There is increasing global interest in how best to support the role of community health workers (CHWs) in building bridges between communities and the health sector. CHWs' intermediary position means that interpersonal relationships are an important factor shaping CHW performance. This study aimed to obtain in-depth insight into the facilitators of and barriers to interpersonal relationships between health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and actors in the community and health sector in hard-to-reach settings in two districts in Malawi, in order to inform policy and practice on optimizing HSA performance.

METHODS
The study followed a qualitative design. Forty-four semi-structured interviews and 16 focus group discussions were conducted with HSAs, different community members and managers in Mchinji and Salima districts. Data were recorded, transcribed, translated, coded and thematically analysed.

RESULTS
HSAs had relatively strong interpersonal relationships with traditional leaders and volunteers, who were generally supportive of their work. From the health sector side, HSAs linked to health professionals and managers, but found them less supportive. Accountability structures at the community level were not well-established and those within the health sector were executed irregularly. Mistrust from the community, volunteers or HSAs regarding incentives and expectations that could not be met by "higher levels" undermined support structures and led to demotivation and hampered performance. Supervision and training were sometimes a source of mistrust and demotivation for HSAs, because of the perceived disinterest of supervisors, uncoordinated supervision and favouritism in selection of training participants. Rural HSAs were seen as more disadvantaged than HSAs in urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS
HSAs' intermediary position necessitates trusting relationships between them and all actors within the community and the health sector. There is a need to improve support and accountability structures that facilitate communication and dialogue, increase trust and manage expectations and thereby improve interpersonal relationships between HSAs and actors in the community and health sector. This would maximize the value of HSAs' unique intermediary position and support them to deliver equitable health services. This is particularly important in rural areas, where HSAs often constitute the only point of contact with health services, yet report limited support from the health system.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 21.5 Allied health personnel. Allied health professions W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84 Health services. Delivery of health care WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 546 Local Health Administration. Community Health Services WA Public Health > Statistics. Surveys > WA 950 Theory or methods of medical statistics. Epidemiologic methods
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1402-x
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	10 May 2016 08:52
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2019 10:52
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5876

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