Study on Health Extension Workers: Access to Information, Continuing Education and Reference Materials

Abstract

Background: Access to information through continuing education (CE), reference and other resource materials is a prerequisite to the achievement of MDGs. Access of health workers to information in Ethiopia has been poor and will be further challenged by the deployment of 30,000 Health Extension Workers (HEW). Therefore, a study was undertaken to make a clear needs assessment, define priorities and identify resources to plan appropriate CE programs and prepare reference materials. Method: The study was conducted in 27 woredas, 50 health posts (HP) and on 60 HEW in all regions where HEW have been already deployed. Results: Almost all HEW have participated, on average for three and half days, in CE since their deployment. Woreda Health Offices (WHOs) were the main organizers. The HEW training modules are the only reference materials available at the HP level. Training in curative care and delivery related subjects stand out in future CE expectations of the HEW. Discussion and conclusions: The attention given to CE is encouraging but requires better planning and coordination. There is need to provide more reference and other resource materials. Increased use of modern technology for providing information should be explored.

Mothers’ experiences and satisfactions with health extension program in Jimma zone, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

“…Nevertheless, there were concerns related to programmatic issues such as 25–75% scenario, absence of curative services and lower competency and skill of the HEWs. Limited access to information, resources and reference materials may be associated with the lower competency of HEWs as documented in earlier studies [10-12,14]. Despite these concerns, the level of satisfaction was moderately high which was also documented in earlier researches [9,16].…”

“…Although mothers are the primary target group for HEP, their experiences with the program remains unstudied in Ethiopia. This is evidenced by the fact that the majority of scientific inquiries related to HEP were primarily focused on implementation status of the program [8-10], efficiency of HEWs [11], working conditions and experiences of HEWs [12,13], access to information and continuing education [14], and effects of the program [15]. Only one study, as we were able to identify from published evidences, described the initial community experiences on HEP [16].…”

How does context influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? Evidence from the literature

“…This rigidity and top-down power and information flow had negative effects on the ASHA programme, as insights from the community level were not used to improve services at all levels [ 29 ]. In Ethiopia, lack of coordination between vertical programmes and between various NGOs was reported to result in overlap among different ( ad hoc ) trainings, reducing the time health extension workers could spend in their communities [ 81 ].…”

Community case management improves use of treatment for childhood diarrhea, malaria and pneumonia in a remote district of Ethiopia

“…Recent studies shed light on HEW training (19), continuing education (20), and working conditions (21). Not surprisingly, the first intake of such an ambitious program had challenges.…”