Abstract
Community health workers (CHWs) are an important element of many health systems and programmes for the promotion and delivery
of a wide range of health interventions and disease surveillance. Understanding the motivation and retention of CHWs is recognized
as essential but there are few data from sub-Saharan Africa. This qualitative study explored factors that motivate, and the
challenges faced by community-based surveillance volunteers (CBSVs) in the Northern Region of Ghana through semi-structured
interviews with 28 CBSVs, 12 zonal coordinators, nine Ghana Health Service (GHS) sub-district level staff, ten GHS district
level staff and two GHS regional level staff in the administrative capital. The community emerged as an important motivating
factor in terms of altruism, a sense of duty to the community and gaining community respect and pride. This was enhanced by
community selection of the volunteers. Major challenges included incorrect community perceptions of CBSVs, problems with transportation
and equipment, difficulties conducting both volunteer and farm work and late or lack of payment for ad hoc tasks such as National
Immunization Days. Most CBSVs recognized that they were volunteers, understood the constraints of the health system and were
not demanding remuneration. However, CBSVs strongly desired something tangible to show that their work is recognized and appreciated
and described a number of low cost items that could be used. They also desired equipment such as raincoats and identifiers
such as tee-shirts and certificates.
of a wide range of health interventions and disease surveillance. Understanding the motivation and retention of CHWs is recognized
as essential but there are few data from sub-Saharan Africa. This qualitative study explored factors that motivate, and the
challenges faced by community-based surveillance volunteers (CBSVs) in the Northern Region of Ghana through semi-structured
interviews with 28 CBSVs, 12 zonal coordinators, nine Ghana Health Service (GHS) sub-district level staff, ten GHS district
level staff and two GHS regional level staff in the administrative capital. The community emerged as an important motivating
factor in terms of altruism, a sense of duty to the community and gaining community respect and pride. This was enhanced by
community selection of the volunteers. Major challenges included incorrect community perceptions of CBSVs, problems with transportation
and equipment, difficulties conducting both volunteer and farm work and late or lack of payment for ad hoc tasks such as National
Immunization Days. Most CBSVs recognized that they were volunteers, understood the constraints of the health system and were
not demanding remuneration. However, CBSVs strongly desired something tangible to show that their work is recognized and appreciated
and described a number of low cost items that could be used. They also desired equipment such as raincoats and identifiers
such as tee-shirts and certificates.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9569-5
- Authors
- Yasemin Dil, Institute of Child Health, Centre for International Health and Development, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
- Daniel Strachan, Institute of Child Health, Centre for International Health and Development, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
- Sandy Cairncross, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Andrew Seidu Korkor, Ghana Guinea Worm Eradication Programme, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, Ghana
- Zelee Hill, Institute of Child Health, Centre for International Health and Development, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145