Perceptions of community health workers on their training, teamwork and practice: a cross-sectional study in Tshwane district, Gauteng, South Africa

G A Ogunbanjo,T Bogongo,S L.N Nyalunga,J V Ndimande,A Masango-Makgobela

doi:10.4102/safp.v61i4.4963

Abstract

Background: In 2011, South Africa established ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) comprising Community Health Workers as part of strategies to strengthen primary healthcare. The new community health workers (CHWs) lacked experience of the programme. This study aimed at assessing perceptions of community health workers on their training, teamwork and practice.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among CHWs in the seven regions of Tshwane health district between October and November 2015. Data were collected from 431 CHWs in eight Community Health Centres and 11 clinics using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Outcome measures were CHWs’ perceptions on training, teamwork and practice regarding WBOT programme.Results: A total of 431 CHWs formed the study sample. Participants had a mean age of 36 years (SD ± 9.46). The majority (88.2%) were female. Some 77% had completed secondary school. Overall, most CHWs perceived their training (86.4%), teamwork(87.6%) and practices (67.7%) to be good (p = 0.001). The majority were able to provide efficient health care despite the challenges experienced, which were lack of equipment, walking long distances, and safety on the streets and in households with patients who had mental health problems among others. Fisher’s exact test showed a significant association between training and work challenges (p = 0.006).Conclusion: The study findings showed that most CHWs had good perceptions regarding their training, teamwork and practice. Several concerns raised by CHWs suggest the need for stakeholders to ensure availability of resources for optimal functioning of CHWs.

Highlights

In 2011, South Africa established ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) comprising Community Health Workers as part of strategies to strengthen primary healthcare
The International Labour Organization defines Community Health Workers (CHWs) as ‘members that provide support and assistance to communities, families and individuals with preventive health measures and gaining access to appropriate curative health and social services. They create a bridge between providers of health, social and community services and communities that may have difficulty in accessing these services.’[1]. Training increases the capacity for community health workers (CHWs) to communicate with and serve local people
In 2004, a specialised training programme for CHWs which is offered for eight weeks followed by four weeks’ fieldwork and ongoing training sessions was developed

Summary

Introduction

In 2011, South Africa established ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) comprising Community Health Workers as part of strategies to strengthen primary healthcare. This study aimed at assessing perceptions of community health workers on their training, teamwork and practice. Conclusion: The study findings showed that most CHWs had good perceptions regarding their training, teamwork and practice. Several concerns raised by CHWs suggest the need for stakeholders to ensure availability of resources for optimal functioning of CHWs. The International Labour Organization defines Community Health Workers (CHWs) as ‘members that provide support and assistance to communities, families and individuals with preventive health measures and gaining access to appropriate curative health and social services. The International Labour Organization defines Community Health Workers (CHWs) as ‘members that provide support and assistance to communities, families and individuals with preventive health measures and gaining access to appropriate curative health and social services They create a bridge between providers of health, social and community services and communities that may have difficulty in accessing these services.’[1] Training increases the capacity for CHWs to communicate with and serve local people. Government support through supplying resources for activities and through the remuneration of CHWs, such as seen in Brazil, are stated as aspects of a successful CHW programme.[2]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion