Factors associated with retention of community health workers in maternal, newborn and child health programme in Simiyu Region, Tanzania
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Factors associated with retention of community health workers in maternal, newborn and child health programme in Simiyu Region, Tanzania | |
| Creator | Ngilangwa, David P. Mgomella, George S. | |
| Description | Background: Attrition of community health workers (CHWs) continues to threaten the full realisation and sustainability of community-based health programmes globally. Aim: This study aimed to understand factors associated with CHWs’ recruitment and their retention. Setting: This study was conducted in five districts of the Simiyu Region, namely, Bariadi, Busega, Itilima, Maswa and Meatu in north-western Tanzania. Methods: In this cross-sectional study design, 341 CHWs who were working with the maternal health programme were randomly selected. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to all participants. Data were descriptively and inferentially analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Majority (58.0%) of CHWs were below 35 years. Over half (53.1%) had completed primary education only. Motivation factors for being CHW were aspiration to serve the community and desire for further training to become a qualified medical practitioner. Community recognition and financial incentives were among the key retention reasons for the CHWs. Being married (odds ratio [OR] 5.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–20.1) having prior volunteer experience (OR 10.5 95% CI 12.7–40.5) and prior employment OR 21.8 (CI 12.2–38.9) were positively associated with retention of CHWs, while being a female was negatively associated with retention OR 0.4 (CI 0.2–0.8). Conclusions: Both financial and non-financial incentives were critical in contributing to the retention of CHWs. Thus, health programmes should carefully select CHWs by understanding their motives beforehand, and provide them with incentives. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2018-08-02 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1506 | |
| Source | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 10, No 1 (2018); 8 pages 2071-2936 2071-2928 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1506/2740
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1506/2739
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1506/2741
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1506/2738
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