Geo-Analysis: The Distribution of Community Health Workers in Relation to the HIV Prevalence in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gugulethu Eve Khumalo ◽  
S Ntuli ◽  
E Lutge ◽  
T P Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hiv Prevalence ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Catchment Population ◽  
Density Mapping ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Dot Density ◽  
Gis Software

Abstract Background: The Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Team (WBPHCOT) policy framework states that community health workers (CHW)s should be distributed mainly according to poverty lines for each catchment population. We aimed to describe the spatial distribution of CHWs in relation to the HIV prevalence which has been associated with poverty in previous studies.Methods: We utilized geographic information system (GIS) method to visualize the distribution of CHWs in relation to HIV prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) districts. Dot density mapping, was used to visualize the random distribution of CHWs in relation to HIV prevalence in the districts. The districts’ HIV prevalence, number of PLWH, CHW: PLWH ratio and poverty scores were mapped using choropleth mapping. MapInfo 17, a GIS software was used to map geospatial presentation of the data.Results: Ten out of 11 KZN districts had more than a required CHW:PLWH ratio of 1:160-267, which indicates a significant shortage of CHWs regardless of the HIV prevalence or poverty scores. Furthermore, our findings showed extensive geospatial heterogeneity with no clear pattern in the distribution CHWs in relation to the HIV prevalence and poverty scores in the districts Conclusion: This finding represents inequalities in the provision of HIV services by the CHWs. It is critical to strengthen response to the HIV epidemic through the well informed and justified distribution of CHWs especially to the poor districts.

scholarly journals Community Health Workers Working the Digital Archive: A Case for Looking at Participatory Archiving in Studying Stigma in the Context of HIV and AIDS

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naydene De Lange ◽  
Claudia Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
Hiv Stigma ◽  
Digital Archive ◽  
Visual Data ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Addressing the issue of HIV-stigma is recognised as essential to reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS, enabling community members to access prevention, treatment and care. Often the very people who are able to contribute to solving the problem, are marginalised and do not see ways to insert themselves into dialogues related to combating stigma. Community health workers in rural South Africa are one such group. At the heart of the research discussed in this article is an intervention based on participatory analysis through participatory archiving ( Shilton and Srinivasan 2008 ). Drawing on participatory work with thirteen community health workers in rural KwaZulu-Natal, we use a digital archive containing HIV-stigma visual data - generated five years earlier by youth in the community - to engage the participants in the analysis. Drawing on such participatory work as Jenkins’ participatory cultures framework, we focus on the idea of re-using, re-coding, and re-mixing visual data. One participant stated that “these pictures talk about the real issues faced by our communities”, highlighting the value of resources generated by community members themselves. They also indicate that they “could use [the resources] to teach the cons of stigmatising”. A key concern in work related to visual images (particularly in projects such as ours where a large amount of visual data is produced) is to consider ways of extending its life through the use of community-based digital archives.

scholarly journals Community health workers in Gazankulu

Curationis ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C.N. Mentz
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Evaluation Research ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Modest Contribution ◽  
The Way

The aim of this paper is to give a brief description of the utilization of community health workers (CHWs) in Gazankulu. The general policy framework in which these health workers function is described briefly, and the way in which these workers function evaluated. This paper is intended as a modest contribution to evaluation research in the field of community health.

scholarly journals Community Health Workers Can Strengthen Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Implementation in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S119-S119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Norton ◽  
Anthony Moll ◽  
Jabulile Madi ◽  
Nkazi Nkomo ◽  
Ralph Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
Isoniazid Preventive Therapy ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Community health workers lensed through a South African backdrop of two peri-urban communities in KwaZulu-Natal

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan S. White ◽  
Pragashnie Govender ◽  
Helga E. Lister
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Formal Schooling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Background: As the South African government re-engineers primary healthcare (PHC), the need for additional information on stakeholders involved in the process has emerged. Of these are community health workers (CHWs), who have been identified as central to PHC success.Objectives: To profile the current CHWs within KwaDabeka and Clermont in KwaZulu-Natal, to describe their roles and to explore the barriers and enablers influencing their service delivery.Method: A convergent mixed methods design was employed with a sample of CHWs with the use of a survey (n = 53) and two focus groups (n = 10) and semi-structured interviews with four ward councillors (n = 4). Data were analysed statistically and thematically.Results: The profile of CHWs reflected only women with a mixed age range and a majority of 59% who had not completed formal schooling. General work experience as a CHW varied. There were diverse opinions expressed towards the CHW role which related to their job title and identity, supervision, remuneration, growth pathways and psychological and emotional issues. Whilst the National Community Health Worker Profile Framework was established for the CHW programme, there are several factors lacking in the current CHW programme such as a formal growth pathway or formal training to align the CHWs with the National Qualifications Framework.Conclusion: The study findings are essential for the monitoring and evaluation as well as development and refinement of policies that will assist in ensuring adequate rollout of PHC with CHWs.

scholarly journals Training and Evaluation of Community Health Workers (CHWs): Towards Improving Maternal and Newborn Survival in an Urban Setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 406-413
Author(s):  
Thoko Ndaba ◽  
Myra Taylor ◽  
Musawenkosi Mabaso
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Post Test ◽  
At Home

Background: In South Africa, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a key component of community outreach teams as part of Primary Health Care (PHC) re-engineering. Although the value of CHW programs has been increasingly recognized, published evaluations of CHWs’ training programs are rare. This study documents the training and evaluation of CHWs on maternal and neonatal care towards improved maternal-newborn survival in an impoverished urban setting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: Using a descriptive study design, CHWs were trained to do home visits, assess and support the mother to settle in well at home post-discharge, check on babies’ warmth, cord care, breastfeeding, basic hygiene, size of the baby if underweight and advise on Kangaroo mother care. They were also trained to check if the mothers were given the Road to Health card and to inquire about the immunization and subsequent follow-up visits to the PHC, and encourage mothers to adhere to their follow up dates at PHC clinics. Pre-and post-test scores, shadow visits, and spot checks were used to evaluate their performance. Results: Generally, CHWs (n=47) from all three PHC clinics performed well. Overall, the highest post-test score among the PHC CHWs was 72% and the lowest was 50%. On average during shadow visits 67% CHWs were rated as good, 2% were rated as poor, and most CHWs received the highest score at 92% during spot checks. Conclusion: CHWs demonstrated social commitment and purpose in the short term observed. The evaluation of the training of CHWs revealed that most demonstrated the necessary skills for referrals to prevent complications, caring for newborns and their mothers at home immediately after discharge from health care centers. CHW upskilling training on maternal-newborn services should be prioritized in the most affected areas.

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