Support Supervision for Community Health Workers in Uganda: Implications of Village Health Teams in Mitooma District

Abstract

Background: Support supervision for Community Health Workers is a field that is undervalued worldwide. The performance of Uganda’s Community Health Workers, also known as Village Health Teams, is impacted by their lack of supportive supervision. This study evaluated the impact of support supervision on VHT involvement in community-based healthcare in Uganda’s Mitooma area. Method: This article’s empirical analysis is based on data gathered between September and October 2021 from 341 Village Health Teams from eight Sub-counties in the Mitooma area as part of a cross-sectional study. Data were gathered via semi-structured questionnaires, focus groups, and key informant interviews. STATA version 14.2 was used for descriptive analysis, and manual methods were used for qualitative (thematic and content) analysis. Results: In Mitooma district, support supervision is still dispersed even though it is thought to be a tool for encouraging Village Health Teams, facilitating continuing training, and keeping them accountable for their work. Lack of funds, irregular supervision, and a lack of guidelines were among the challenges limiting support supervision in the district. Conclusion: It was generally acknowledged that support supervision is still undervalued in the VHT program. Stakeholders suggested that in order to solve these issues, there should be more financing, supervisor job descriptions that are explicit, and in-person supervisory meetings.