Job stress among community health workers: a multi-method study from Pakistan

Zaeem Haq,Atif Rahman,Zafar Iqbal

doi:10.1186/1752-4458-2-15

Abstract

BackgroundIn low income countries, the task of providing primary health care is often the responsibility of community health workers. In Pakistan, community workers called Lady Health Workers (LHW) deliver basic health care at the doorstep in the rural areas and urban slums. Evaluations show that it is a successful programme but point out inconsistencies in the quality of service provided. In order achieve this, it would be important to obtain the workers' viewpoint on their job-description, the problems they face and the levels of stress they encounter.MethodsWe conducted a multi-method study to investigate the aforementioned issues. All LHWs from one typical rural sub-district in Rawalpindi were surveyed. Focus group discussions with a sub-set of these workers were also conducted.ResultsAbout a quarter of the LHWs were found to have significant occupational stress. Factors associated with stress included having low socio-economic status and having to travel long distances for work. Inconsistent medical supplies, inadequate stipends, lack of career structure and not being equipped to communicate effectively with families were the main factors for job dissatisfaction among these workers.RecommendationsImprovement in remuneration, better administration of supplies and a structured career path should be ensured for better performance of community health workers. In addition, communication skills learning should be an essential part of their training programme.

Highlights

In low income countries, the task of providing primary health care is often the responsibility of community health workers
The Lady Health Workers Programme (LHWP) is a federally funded development programme working at the grass root level since 1994
Children immunized and take preventive measures, difficulty in communicating on family planning issues, non cooperative attitudes of community and inadequate information, education, communication (IEC) materials and other job aids. This is the first study from Pakistan that focused on the LHW's work related stress and various factors contributing to it

Summary

Introduction

The task of providing primary health care is often the responsibility of community health workers. In Pakistan, community workers called Lady Health Workers (LHW) deliver basic health care at the doorstep in the rural areas and urban slums. Evaluations show that it is a successful programme but point out inconsistencies in the quality of service provided. The "Lady Health Worker" (LHW) of the National Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care in (page number not for citation purposes). About 96,000 workers and their supervisors have been trained and deployed in all the 135 districts of Pakistan They currently cover about 65% of the target population (rural and urban slums), and full coverage is planned in the few years [2].

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Results

Conclusion