ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the current status of village health worker practice and their remuneration in six provinces. Methods: After 18 counties (cities/districts) from 6 provinces are selected based on their levels of economic and social development, this paper uses self-designed questionnaires to survey all village clinics under the jurisdiction of these 18 counties. Results: The average numbers of village health workers range from 6. 79 to 19. 05 per 10,000 rural populations and 1. 36 to 3. 24 per village. In some provinces, more than 20% of the village health workers are 60 years old, and the educational level of more than 50% is technical secondary school and they have village health worker prac-ticing certificates only. The coverage ratio of medical malpractice liability insurance among village health workers in two western provinces is less than 11%. Except Jiangsu province, village health workers in the other five provinces have mainly joined the New Rural Pension Scheme ( NRPS) . Jiangsu province ranks the highest in subsidies for the services of public health and essential medicines per village health workers, and Fujian province ranked the lowest. Village health workers who are included in the administrative staffing management of township health centers account for less than 20%. Except Jiangsu province, more than 70% village health workers provide 24-hour service. The number of the outflow personnel is higher than the number of the inflow. Conclusions and Suggestions:The problem of village health worker aging is getting worse. Their education level, practicing quality and remuneration are low. This paper suggests the government not only improve the practicing quality and define the legal status of village health workers, but also in-crease the remuneration, incentives and job satisfaction of village health workers Further studies should be conducted in order to put forward a more practical advice about how to attract more health workers in rural areas.
ABSTRACT
Chronic illnesses are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in rural India. Many patients default from treatment, and exploring their reasons for the same may suggest strategies to improve service accessibility and acceptability. A qualitative study was conducted of 22 patient interviews, six key informant interviews, and two patient focus group discussions for investigating the reasons for default at the KC Patty Primary Health Centre and surrounding villages in Kodaikanal Taluk, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. The reasons included money or transport diffi culties, frequent travel, feeling healthy, focus on work, fear of scolding from clinic staff, medication side effects, preference for alternative therapy, and depression. Some reasons were only divulged after an extended discussion. Support from families and village-level health workers (VLHWs) were also identifi ed as important. Recommendations include more open and patient communication between health workers and defaulting patients, in addition to recruitment of more VLHWs.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of 'village health worker training program' which aimed to build community participatory health promotion capacity of community leaders in villages of low developed country and to develop methods for further development of the program. METHODS: The intervention group were 134 community leaders from 25 barangays (village). Control group were 149 form 4 barangays. Intervention group participated 3-day training program. Questionnaire was developed based on 'Health Promotion Capacity Checklist' which assessed capacity in 4 feathers; 'knowledge', 'skill', 'commitment', and 'resource'. Each feather was assessed in 4 point rating scale. Capacity scores between intervention group and control group were examined to identify changes between the pre- and post-intervention periods. A qualitative evaluation of the program was conducted to assess the appropriateness of the program. The program was conducted in Tuguegarao city, Philippine in January, 2009. RESULTS: The result showed significant increases in the total health promotion capacity and each feather of health promotion capacities between pre and post assessment of intervention group. But there was no significant change in that of control group. Participants marked high level of satisfaction for preparedness, selection of main subjects and education method. Qualitative evaluation revealed that training program facilitated community participatory health promotion capacity of participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the Village health worker training program is effective for building health promotion capacity of community leaders and it can be a main method for helping low developed countries with further development.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Community Networks/organization & administration , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Personnel/education , Health Promotion , Hygiene , Philippines , Program Evaluation , Public Health , Qualitative Research , Surveys and Questionnaires , Rural Health Services , Sanitation , Water SupplyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop and execute the village heath worker(VHW) training program which based on short term overseas medical volunteer and medical mission. METHODS: Through case studies of previous VHW program and review articles about the state of medical volunteer and medical mission, we developed the VHW training program. Pilot test of the program was carried out in Tugeugarao city, Phillipines on July, 2008. The subject were 32 persons from 15 villages around Tuguegarao city. After training we surveyed regarding the satisfaction of training and the degree of getting knowledge and skills. RESULTS: Through article review, we got the common subjects of previous VHW training program and the limitations of overseas medical volunteer and medical mission. We developed VHW training program aiming to community health promotion through community participation and community change. The main text was "Where There Is No Doctor" of Hesperian Foundation. The program executed through 1 day intensive lecture and practice. The satisfaction of the program was 8.95+/-1.70 on 10 point rating scale. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly expect VHW training program can be available as new model of short overseas medical volunteer as well as medical mission if we could systemize it with the confirming subject before training, management after training and continuous support through connection with the field.