African Medical Education Review | 15 February 2010
Assessing Community Health Workers' Training and Support Packages in Rural Ethiopia: An Intervention Study
Y, o, s, e, f, D, e, s, t, a, ,, M, e, k, o, n, n, e, n, A, s, f, a, w
Abstract
Community health workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to rural populations in Ethiopia, where access to formal medical facilities is often limited. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 150 CHWs randomly assigned into an intervention group (receiving enhanced training and support packages) and a control group (standard care). Data collection included pre- and post-test evaluations of knowledge retention, patient surveys on satisfaction, and qualitative feedback from CHWs. Post-training assessments showed significant improvement in CHW knowledge scores compared to baseline levels ($p < 0.01$), indicating effective training delivery. Patient satisfaction scores were also notably higher in the intervention group (mean score: 85 ± 4 vs. control: 79 ± 5, $p = 0.02$). The study supports the efficacy of comprehensive support packages for CHWs, particularly enhancing their knowledge and patient satisfaction. Further research should explore long-term sustainability and scalability of these interventions in diverse rural settings across Ethiopia.