THE INFLUENCE OF CHALLENGES FACING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN THEIR COPING STRATEGIES WITH VULNERABLE CHILDCARE IN KAKAMEGA
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of challenges facing community health workers in their coping strategies with vulnerable childcare in kakamega. A cross-sectional survey design was used to describe the opinions of a proportionate sample of 191 Community Health Workers from different Faith/Community Based Organizations. Six program coordinators of Catholic Relief Services Mwendo (CRSM) purposively sampled were also included in the study. Pretested interview schedules and KI guides were used for data collection. Cronbach coefficient Alpha was used to assess internal consistencies of items in the tools. Qualitative data was analyzed by content and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that almost all the participants faced challenges in their line of duty. However, supervision and training did not influence the coping strategies they adopted while workload, stock outs of tools and materials and inadequate funds negatively influenced the coping strategies. Community Health Workers who faced the challenges of workload used coping strategies such as emotion focused and avoidant and vice versa. The study recommended that guiding and counseling centers to be established by the organizations for Community Health Workers with challenges to get relevant help. National governments and donors should strongly invest in integrated Community Health Workers programs to enable equitable, efficient and effective use of the existing funding. Advocacy is needed at the County government level, to promote financial investment in Community Health and integrated service delivery.
Key Words: Community Health Workers Challenges, Coping Strategies
CITATION: Opimbi, O. A., Kathuri-Ogola, L., & Muriithi, J. K. (2021). The influence of challenges facing community health workers in their coping strategies with vulnerable childcare in Kakamega. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 8 (2), 312 – 225.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v8i2.1996
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