Original Research

Perceptions of roles of community healthcare workers in early childhood in Limpopo, South Africa

Aneesa Moolla, Lezanie Coetzee, Constance Mongwenyana, Anne Robertson, Gert Marincowitz, Michele Zuckerman, Fink Günther, Davidson H. Hamer, Aisha Yousafzai, Peter C. Rockers, Denise Evans
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 16, No 1 | a4412 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4412 | © 2024 Aneesa Moolla, Lezanie Coetzee, Constance Mongwenyana, Anne Robertson, Gert Marincowitz, Michele Zuckerman, Fink Günther, Davidson H. Hamer, Aisha Yousafzai, Peter C. Rockers, Denise Evans | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 November 2023 | Published: 18 October 2024

About the author(s)

Aneesa Moolla, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lezanie Coetzee, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Constance Mongwenyana, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Anne Robertson, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Gert Marincowitz, Clinical Department of Family Medicine, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Michele Zuckerman, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Fink Günther, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Davidson H. Hamer, Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, United States
Aisha Yousafzai, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard, United States
Peter C. Rockers, Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, United States
Denise Evans, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: As part of the Reengineering Primary Health Care initiative, the South African National Department of Health (NDoH) has committed to expanding access to home-based care provided by community health workers. The NDOH also prioritised Community Health Workers (CHWs) in their agenda to improve child development outcomes in South Africa. However, there is limited research on CHWs’ experiences and knowledge of early childhood development.

Aim: To explore CHWs’ motivation for work, their background, training and scope of work around Early Child Development (ECD).

Setting: The study was conducted in Mopani District, Limpopo province, South Africa, in 2017.

Methods: Five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 41 CHWs participating within a large cluster-randomised study. Data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results: Community health workers’ motivation to work was influenced by personal experiences, community needs and community service. In terms of knowledge, CHWs indicated that a nutritious diet with extended breastfeeding, immunisations and preschool education is imperative for a child to thrive. The Road to Health Booklet, weighing scales and the mid-upper arm circumference tape were used as screening tools for ECD. Community health workers perceived their knowledge around ECD to be insufficient.

Conclusion: Community health workers play a crucial role in healthcare; therefore, capacity development on ECD and the provision of ECD screening tools to optimise their under-five child visits are necessary.

Contribution: This study will potentially contribute to the improvement of the CHW programme in ensuring that children under 5 years of age are holistically cared for to ensure that they thrive.


Keywords

community healthcare workers; qualitative; early childhood development; child nutrition; immunisations

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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