Summits - SBCC and C4D
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Summits - SBCC and C4D
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
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Urban community health volunteers

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Chaulagai, C. N. (1993). "Urban community health volunteers." World Health Forum 14(1): 16-19.

Introduction: In Nepal, the village health worker program in urban areas has not been effective; the volunteer program has never been tried. In order to increase use of basic health services, a program was initiated in 1987 in Pokhara to survey hospital and health utilization rates and baseline demographic conditions.

Methods: Urban community health volunteers (32) were trained to conduct a demographic and health survey, to educate and motivate people to use healthy and hygienic practices, and to use appropriate health services. Outreach clinics were established in each ware; home visits were made by the community health volunteers. Clinics attended to prenatal care, immunization, growth monitoring, family planning, and health education. Of the 32 volunteers, 14 males and 8 females dropped out due to the scarcity of incentives, lack of time, and no recognition. An evaluation of the program over the prior two years of operation was conducted in January, 1991, in order to assess the impact on knowledge, skills, behavior, and use of facilities.

Results and Conclusions: A random sample of 394 mothers with children aged 5 years, who were registered in the health ward and population registers, was selected for in-depth interviews. The results showed that only 70 of the mothers knew of community health volunteers in the wards; 56 had been in direct contact. 49 of those who knew about the volunteers considered the program helpful. 149 mothers knew about the mobile clinic in their wards; 100 of these mothers had used services in a hospital clinic. There was a lack of coordination among potential oversight agencies, such as: the Pokhara Municipal Office, the Shining Community Health Project, and the Kaski District Public Health Office. Replacement volunteers were not found and trained. Differences were found between service statistics and post-intervention survey results and were accounted for. Community health volunteers did not accurately record statistics on births, deaths, marriages, and migration. Females were more effective than males. Improvements were found in increases in prenatal care, immunization coverage, and use of oral rehydration. The deficiencies in the program were due to inadequate supervision, training, motivation, and follow-up.