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'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Stephens, MJ; Schrumpf, LA; Nsarko, NE; Baumgartner, JN; Ohemeng-Dapaah, S; Akosah, E; Watt, MH
Published in: Global public health
October 2020

In rural settings with shortages in trained health care workers, community health workers (CHWs) play an important role in the delivery of health care services. The Ghana Health Service initiated a national CHW programme in 2016 to expand health services to rural populations. This study explored the perceived role and value of CHWs in addressing family planning issues in the Amansie West district of Ghana. The study included in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 28 women in the community, ages 18-49, and 30 CHWs. Using inductive thematic analysis, IDIs were coded to explore opinions on the CHWs' role and perceived value in the delivery of family planning. Participants explained that CHWs provided family planning as part of a healthcare package through household visits and referrals to government services. The value of CHWs in delivering family planning was seen in confidentiality, accessibility, and comfort. Participants recommended an enlarged CHW workforce with a range of commodities and programmatic support. The findings suggest CHWs play an important role in promoting family planning, by serving as a bridge between the community and clinics. In rural communities where resources are scarce, CHWs are an invaluable part of the broader healthcare system.

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Published In

Global public health

DOI

EISSN

1744-1706

ISSN

1744-1692

Publication Date

October 2020

Volume

15

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1509 / 1521

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Rural Population
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Ghana
  • Female
  • Family Planning Services
  • Community Health Workers
 

Citation

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Stephens, M. J., Schrumpf, L. A., Nsarko, N. E., Baumgartner, J. N., Ohemeng-Dapaah, S., Akosah, E., & Watt, M. H. (2020). 'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana. Global Public Health, 15(10), 1509–1521. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1762238
Stephens, Maya J., Leah A. Schrumpf, Nathaniel E. Nsarko, Joy Noel Baumgartner, Seth Ohemeng-Dapaah, Eric Akosah, and Melissa H. Watt. “'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana.Global Public Health 15, no. 10 (October 2020): 1509–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1762238.
Stephens MJ, Schrumpf LA, Nsarko NE, Baumgartner JN, Ohemeng-Dapaah S, Akosah E, et al. 'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana. Global public health. 2020 Oct;15(10):1509–21.
Stephens, Maya J., et al. “'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana.Global Public Health, vol. 15, no. 10, Oct. 2020, pp. 1509–21. Epmc, doi:10.1080/17441692.2020.1762238.
Stephens MJ, Schrumpf LA, Nsarko NE, Baumgartner JN, Ohemeng-Dapaah S, Akosah E, Watt MH. 'I have a lot of faith in her': Value of community health workers in addressing family planning in rural Ghana. Global public health. 2020 Oct;15(10):1509–1521.

Published In

Global public health

DOI

EISSN

1744-1706

ISSN

1744-1692

Publication Date

October 2020

Volume

15

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1509 / 1521

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Rural Population
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Humans
  • Ghana
  • Female
  • Family Planning Services
  • Community Health Workers