The Roles, Activities and Challenges of Community Health Volunteers in Delivering Community–Based Malaria Control Interventions in Migori and Kwale Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Community Health Volunteers play a very important role in delivering activities in communities in relation to health and specifically to malaria control interventions. The broad objective of the study was to evaluate the impact on strengthening level one health services on community utilization of malaria control intervention in Migori and Kwale Counties, and specifically to assess the roles, activities and challenges experienced by Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in delivering the activities. The study design was a qualitative community based comparative analytical intervention that was implemented at baseline and four years post-intervention to measure the impact. The study found out that roles and activities of CHVs were critical in community case management of malaria (CCMM), prevention and control, malaria testing and dispensing of first line anti-malaria drugs, home visits and referrals, conducting community dialogues and participating in health action days, among others. It can be concluded from this study that involving, engaging and training of CHVs greatly contributes to success of malaria control and prevention interventions in community settings where behaviour approaches for change are essential. Keywords: Malaria, Community Health Volunteers, Roles, Interventions, Migori, Kwale.