Mercy Abbey1, L Kay Bartholomew2, Justice Nonvignon3, Margaret A Chinbuah4, Matilda Pappoe3, Margaret Gyapong5, John O Gyapong4, Constance Bart-Plange6, Bart van den Borne7. 1. Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, PM Bag 190, Accra, Ghana mercy.abbey@yahoo.com mercy.abbey@ghsmail.org. 2. School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Centre, 1200 Herman Pressler Street, Suite W238, Houston, TX 77030, USA. 3. School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. 4. Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, PM Bag 190, Accra, Ghana. 5. Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, P.O. Box 1, Dangme West District, Ghana. 6. National Malaria Control Programme, Ghana Health Service, P.O. Box KB 493, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana. 7. Department of Health Promotion, University of Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In resource-constrained settings of developing countries, promotion of community-based health interventions through community health workers (CHWs) is an important strategy to improve child health. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of such programmes owing to the high rate of CHW attrition. This study examined factors influencing retention of volunteer CHWs in a cluster randomised trial on community management of under-5 fever in a rural Ghanaian district. METHODS: Data were obtained from structured interviews (n=520) and focus group discussions (n=5) with CHWs. Factors influencing CHWs' decisions to remain or leave the programme were analysed using a probit model, and focus group discussion results were used to elucidate the findings. RESULTS: The attrition rate among CHWs was 21.2%. Attrition was comparatively higher in younger age groups (25.9% in 15-25 years group, 18.2% in 26-45 years group and 16.5% in ≥46 years group). Approval of a CHW by the community (p<0.001) and the CHW's immediate family (p<0.05) were significant in influencing the probability of remaining in the programme. Motivation for retention was related to the desire to serve their communities as well as humanitarian and religious reasons. CONCLUSION: The relatively moderate rate of attrition could be attributed to the high level of community involvement in the selection process as well as other aspects of the intervention leading to high community approval and support. Attention for these aspects could help improve CHW retention in community-based health interventions in Ghana, and the lessons could be applied to countries within similar settings.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: In resource-constrained settings of developing countries, promotion of community-based health interventions through community health workers (CHWs) is an important strategy to improve child health. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of such programmes owing to the high rate of CHW attrition. This study examined factors influencing retention of volunteer CHWs in a cluster randomised trial on community management of under-5 fever in a rural Ghanaian district. METHODS: Data were obtained from structured interviews (n=520) and focus group discussions (n=5) with CHWs. Factors influencing CHWs' decisions to remain or leave the programme were analysed using a probit model, and focus group discussion results were used to elucidate the findings. RESULTS: The attrition rate among CHWs was 21.2%. Attrition was comparatively higher in younger age groups (25.9% in 15-25 years group, 18.2% in 26-45 years group and 16.5% in ≥46 years group). Approval of a CHW by the community (p<0.001) and the CHW's immediate family (p<0.05) were significant in influencing the probability of remaining in the programme. Motivation for retention was related to the desire to serve their communities as well as humanitarian and religious reasons. CONCLUSION: The relatively moderate rate of attrition could be attributed to the high level of community involvement in the selection process as well as other aspects of the intervention leading to high community approval and support. Attention for these aspects could help improve CHW retention in community-based health interventions in Ghana, and the lessons could be applied to countries within similar settings.
Authors: Moses Laman; John M Benjamin; Brioni R Moore; Mary Salib; Somoyang Tawat; Wendy A Davis; Peter M Siba; Leanne J Robinson; Timothy M E Davis Journal: Malar J Date: 2015-03-21 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Frances Baaba da-Costa Vroom; Richmond Aryeetey; Richard Boateng; Francis Anto; Moses Aikins; Margaret Gyapong; John Gyapong Journal: SAGE Open Med Date: 2015-07-08