The Creation of a Field Manual for Community Health Workers to Teach Child Health and Development During Home Visits: A Case Study of Participatory Content Creation.

Abstract

Community health workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in improving child health and development in underserved populations. However, CHWs often face challenges in accessing appropriate guidance and materials for their home visits, hindering their ability to deliver accurate and relevant information to families. Extensive searches for existing resources were conducted to search for established field manual guidebooks for CHWs, however, no suitable material was found, highlighting the need for this case study. The exercise aimed to develop a comprehensive field manual guidebook and animated videos to support CHWs in the Amazon of Peru during their home visits. A multidisciplinary team of specialists was assembled to develop the material. The material development process employed a design thinking methodology, incorporating participatory content creation workshops with CHWs and experts in health topics relevant to the Amazon. This approach ensured cultural relevance and sensitivity in conveying information. The team created a list of 38 essential health and early childhood development messages for Amazonian communities. Infographics were designed for each topic, accompanied by easy-to-understand language and images to assist CHWs in conveying information effectively. To provide additional support, seven animated videos were created based on health behavior theory, covering topics such as anemia, healthy diet, diarrhea, breastfeeding, clean water, child-caregiver bond, and early childhood stimulation. The videos were designed for CHWs to share with caregivers during home visits, enhancing information transmission. The resulting guidebook, infographics, and animated videos were presented to CHWs in Loreto, Peru for feedback. Updated versions were printed and distributed to CHWs in seven communities in Loreto.