Submission ID 129638
| Issue/Objective | Research shows community health workers are successful in addressing issues such as maternal, neonatal and child health, particularly in low-income countries. However, CHW-related projects often face issues with motivation and CHW retention, so more research is needed into how motivation of CHWs can be improved. Rorya District-Tanzania, IMCHA The main objective was to map the motivators of the CHWs in Rorya District |
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| Methodology/Approach | This qualitative study held semi-structured focus group discussions and individual interviews with 80 CHWs from Rorya district. The interview guides were based on a framework developed by previous studies on CHW motivation. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed with an inductive approach |
| Results | Motivators on the individual, family, community, and organizational level were mapped. Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators were identified. The most important intrinsic motivator was altruism. Extrinsic motivators were two categories; practical support and moral support. Within practical support the organizational level was deemed especially important, with special focus noted on transport, remuneration, and equipment. Moral support was largely focused on the family and community level in which general support, acceptance, recognition, and election were important. Other identified motivators were education and interventions |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Becoming a CHW is not a one time decision only there are many factors that influence the position of a CHW and that may lead to a CHW eventually deciding to give up their position, however strong their intrinsic intentions are. Focusing on both practical and moral support might be necessary to increase retention. Several interventions are suggested a voucher system that enables pregnant women to travel to health facilities for delivery, ID cards or t-shirts for recognition, timely allowance payments; (re-)election of CHWs by the community, and collaboration with HCPs during mobile clinics. The main focus of the Government involvement and participation of successful with feasible impact program like IMCHA lies in practical support, however investing more in moral support might prove to be very effective. Integrating moral support alongside existing government-led practical interventions contributes to building resilient health systems and communities. Equity in action is achieved when health systems invest not only in resources, but also in relationships, recognition, and community leadership |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Bwire Chirangi Shirati KMT Hospital Bwire Chirangi Shirati KMT Hospital Miek Cuijpers Maastricht university Anja Krumeich Maastricht university Anja Krumeich Maastricht university |
