The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72954

Suruchi Sood, Phd, Research and Evaluation Division, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-659-6338, ssood@jhuccp.org and Pius Mishra, PhD, Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202.

The female community health volunteer (FCHV) program in Nepal was initiated in 1988 by the Ministry of Health with the objective of increasing community participation in basic primary health care. Government estimates indicate that there are approximately 48,000 trained FCHVs in Nepal. In Fall 2002, qualitative and quantitative assessment (from 5 districts across the Terai region of Nepal) was undertaken from FCHVs (N = 292), their supervisors (N = 62) and community members (N = 3318) on the perceived roles and responsibilities of FHCVs. Quantitative assessment included structured questionnaires. The qualitative assessment included in-depth interviews and photo-essays by the FCHVs, where they recorded a day in their lives as FCHVs through photographs.

The results from the assessments shows that “service to their community” is a very important element in their reasons for becoming FCHVs and a key factor that motivates and sustains them in their work. FCHVs are able to identify tangible and intangible rewards related to their work and are also articulate about specific challenges that they face. FCHVs who perceive they have adequate support and supervision are significantly more productive than those without such support and supervision. Family support is perceived as an important factor in their work. The results show some startling differences in the perceptions of the FCHVs themselves in comparison to their supervisors and the community about who the FHCVs are, what they do and how well they perform. Finally, implications of these findings on the FCHV program are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

The female community health volunteer (FCHV) program in Nepal was initiated in 1988 by the Ministry of Health with the objective of increasing community participation in basic primary health care. Government estimates indicate that there are approximately 48,000 trained FCHVs in Nepal. In Fall 2002, qualitative and quantitative assessment (from 5 districts across the Terai region of Nepal) was undertaken from FCHVs (N = 292), their supervisors (N = 6
• and community members (N = 331
• on the perceived roles and responsibilities of FHCVs. Quantitative assessment included structured questionnaires. The qualitative assessment included in-depth interviews and photo-essays by the FCHVs, where they recorded a day in their lives as FCHVs through photographs. The results from the assessments shows that “service to their community” is a very important element in their reasons for becoming FCHVs and a key factor that motivates and sustains them in their work. FCHVs are able to identify tangible and intangible rewards related to their work and are also articulate about specific challenges that they face. FCHVs who perceive they have adequate support and supervision are significantly more productive than those without such support and supervision. Family support is perceived as an important factor in their work. The results show some startling differences in the perceptions of the FCHVs themselves in comparison to their supervisors and the community about who the FHCVs are, what they do and how well they perform. Finally, implications of these findings on the FCHV program are discussed.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.