Community Health Volunteers in Primary Healthcare in Rural Uganda: Factors Influencing Performance
Cross-sectional study based on data of CHVs serving the catchment of Bwindi Community Hospital
Abstract
Introduction
Community health volunteers (CHVs) play an integral role in primary healthcare. Several countries rely on CHV programs as a major element in improving access to care and attaining universal health coverage. However, their performance has been heterogeneous and at times context-specific, and influenced by multiple factors. The authors describe the socio-demographic and workplace characteristics affecting CHVs’ performance in a public health program in rural western Uganda.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study based on routine program data of CHVs serving the catchment of Bwindi Community Hospital, Kanungu District, South Western Uganda, in 2014 and 2015. Information was collected on individual socio-demographic and workplace characteristics of the CHVs. To assess their work output, they defined study-specific targets in terms of attendance at monthly CHVs’ meetings with community health nurses, households followed-up and reported, children screened for malnutrition, immunization coverage, and health facility deliveries. Frequencies and proportions are reported for characteristics and outputs and odds ratios for study-specific factors associated with overall performance.
Conclusion
Being in-charge of more than the recommended households was associated with reduced performance of CHVs, while more refresher trainings were associated with improved performance. If the CHVs are to remain a strategic pillar in universal health coverage, it is imperative to address those factors known to impact on their performance.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Kuule Y, Dobson AE, Woldeyohannes D, Zolfo M, Najjemba R, Edwin BMR, Haven N, Verdonck K, Owiti P, Wilkinson E. Community Health Volunteers in Primary Healthcare in Rural Uganda: Factors Influencing Performance. Frontiers in Public Health. 2017;5:1–8.
Links
Community Health Volunteers in Primary Healthcare in Rural Uganda: Factors Influencing Performance