Expanding the role of village malaria workers in Cambodia: Implementation and evaluation of four health education packages
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19326203
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85170348814
Pubmed ID
37682947
Journal Title
PloS one
Volume
18
Issue
9
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PloS one Vol.18 No.9 (2023) , e0283405
Suggested Citation
Betrian M., Umans D., Vanna M., Ol S., Adhikari B., Davoeung C., Callery J.J., Sovann Y., Peto T.J., Maude R.J., van der Pluijm R.W., Bunreth V., Grobusch M.P., van Vugt M., Lubell Y., von Seidlein L., Dondorp A.M., Sovannaroth S., Lek D., Tripura R. Expanding the role of village malaria workers in Cambodia: Implementation and evaluation of four health education packages. PloS one Vol.18 No.9 (2023) , e0283405. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0283405 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/90060
Title
Expanding the role of village malaria workers in Cambodia: Implementation and evaluation of four health education packages
Author's Affiliation
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
National Institute of Public Health Cambodia
The Open University
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Pailin Province
University of Battambang
National Centre for Parasitology
The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
National Institute of Public Health Cambodia
The Open University
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Pailin Province
University of Battambang
National Centre for Parasitology
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early access to correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential for malaria elimination, and in Cambodia this relies on village malaria workers (VMWs). Decreasing malaria transmission leave VMWs with diminished roles. Activities related to the control of other health conditions could keep these community health workers relevant. METHODS: During 2022, 120 VMWs attended training at local health centres on four health education packages: 1. hygiene and sanitation; 2. disease surveillance; 3. management of mild illness; 4. vaccination and antenatal care. All training and evaluation sessions were documented through meeting minutes, and 19 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among VMWs and health centre personnel. Audio-records of FGDs were transcribed and translated in English and underwent thematic analysis. RESULTS: VMWs reported strong interest in the training and welcomed the expansion of their roles thus assuring their continued relevance. VMWs prioritized disease surveillance and management of mild illness among the available training packages because these topics were seen as most relevant. While training was considered comprehensible and important, the low literacy among VMWs was an impediment suggesting training materials need to be delivered visually. Since VMWs have limited resources, incentives could ensure that VMWs are motivated to undertake additional roles and responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: The transformation of VMWs into community health workers with roles beyond malaria is a promising approach for sustaining health care provision in remote areas. Training needs to consider the low scientific literacy, time constraints and limited resources of VMWs.