Perceptions of Lady Health Workers and their trainers about their curriculum for implementing the interventions identified for Essential Package of Health Services for Pakistan

Shaherzad Sohail; Gohar Wajid; Saima Chaudhry

doi:10.12669/pjms.37.5.4175

Shaherzad Sohail, Dr Shalamar Medical and Dental College Lahore
Gohar Wajid, Dr WHO
Saima Chaudhry, Dr University of Health Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4175

Keywords: Universal Health Coverage, Lady Health Workers, Essential Package of Health Services

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Lady Health Workers (LHWs) form the central cadre of community-based health workers in Pakistan. They must be trained well for implementing community-based interventions identified for Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) by the government of Pakistan. This study aims to explore the perceptions of LHWs and their trainers about their existing curriculum and identifies gaps in the curriculum for effective implementation of the interventions identified in EPHS.

Methods: In this qualitative study, perceptions of 45 LHWs were taken through focus group discussions and their six trainers were interviewed as well. In addition, three experts analyzed the LHWs training curriculum to identify its relevance with achieving the community-based interventions as described in the EPHS by the government of Pakistan.

Results: Thematic analysis of the information gathered by the interviews of trainers and focus group discussions from LHWs, was performed. Most participants were satisfied with their curriculum but suggested the addition of topics on emerging health issues, neonatal resuscitation, mental health and rehabilitation. Participants felt a deficiency in practical skills, communication skills and leadership skills. Experts identified gap in the current LHWs curriculum to address the recently identified community-based interventions.

Conclusions: The current curriculum of LHWs need reforms to make it compatible with Essential Package of Health Services for Pakistan. The suggested areas for improvement include knowledge of emerging health issues, neonatal resuscitation, adolescent problems, mental health and rehabilitative services.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4175

How to cite this:
Sohail S, Wajid G, Chaudhry S. Perceptions of Lady Health Workers and their trainers about their curriculum for implementing the interventions identified for Essential Package of Health Services for Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1295-1301. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4175

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.