Assessing Competency of Community Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Background: Community healthcare workers (CHW) play an important role in preventive healthcare system in India. CHW link the community to the health system of the country. As the population in India covers majorly in village, community healthcare workers are the face of the healthcare. These CHW competencies are yet to be ascertained. Objectives: To determine standardized framework for competency of the Community healthcare workers in India. Methods: By using structured questionnaire with 5 point Likert scale is implemented to evaluate the competency of CHW. Respondents are 35 participants including Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), Medical social worker and diabetes educator in and around Chennai. Findings: Suggested that community health workers are highly competent. More clarity in role of community healthcare workers is required. Government should initiate program to nurture the service quality of primary centers, equipment, manpower facility in health centers, etc Training regarding the maternity care and communication skills are core competency required for a CHW to perform his/her role properly. Conclusions: The results of the study show that CHW of India is also competent. Community healthcare workers are contributing more in maternal care and preventive care. They put more effort in health education and sanitation in rural areas.