Abstract
Background: The incorporation of community healthcare worker (CHW) involvement in the management of patients is in line with the 2006 World Health Report, which advocates increased community participation and the systematic delegation of tasks to less specialised cadres. For CHWs to function optimally, satisfaction in their duties is paramount to promote quality healthcare. The health minister included ward-based outreach teams (WBOT) as part of the National Health Insurance.1 CHWs form an important link between healthcare facilities and the communities. This study aimed to measure the satisfaction level of the CHWs with WBOT services in the Tshwane district of South Africa.Method: A cross-sectional study on CHWs was conducted in seven sub-districts. Data were obtained by trained data collectors using a piloted self-administered structured questionnaire from October 12 to November 3, 2015 in three local official languages. The study population of CHWs was 1 600. Using a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval, the sample size was 310. However, we over-sampled to 431 participants.Results: The mean age was 36 years (SD ± 9.46). The majority were females (82.1%); more than three-quarters (77%) had secondary education. The majority were satisfied with the WBOT services whereby 59.8% was the lowest score and 98.4% the highest score. Close to two-thirds (62%) were not satisfied with their monthly stipends. The majority of the younger members of the team (20–40 years) were not valued by their co-workers (70% or 181/255) [p = 0.03]. The overall satisfaction (n = 8593) was 73.4% (p 0.001).Conclusion: Overall satisfaction of CHWs with WBOT is good news. Dissatisfaction regarding stipend/compensation must be addressed. CHWs should be valued and motivated.
Highlights
The incorporation of community healthcare worker (CHW) involvement in the management of patients is in line with the 2006 World Health Report, which advocates increased community participation and the systematic delegation of tasks to less specialised cadres
While CHWs are not medical professionals they are essential healthcare providers and it is important that they are satisfied in their work and that they receive the support they deserve with minimal stress related to service delivery.[2]
A total of 431 CHWs were studied as the questionnaires were given to all those CHWs who were on duty on the days of the visit at their base facilities, and who met the criteria for inclusion of being above 18 years of age with a minimum experience of six months of service
Summary
The incorporation of community healthcare worker (CHW) involvement in the management of patients is in line with the 2006 World Health Report, which advocates increased community participation and the systematic delegation of tasks to less specialised cadres. Community healthcare workers (CHWs) are primary and close contact public health workers who understand and are supposedly part of the communities they serve They are trusted liaison officers, forming a link and acting as protectors of their communities. While CHWs are not medical professionals they are essential healthcare providers and it is important that they are satisfied in their work and that they receive the support they deserve with minimal stress related to service delivery.[2] Satisfaction in this research means conditions under which CHWs work in order to meet the objectives of the NHI, to fulfil expectations of the communities they are intended to serve, satisfaction from the health system they work for and from their own organisation
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