Knowledge and Practices of Community Health Workers Involved in Community Management of Childhood Illness and Implications for Community Access to Services in Two Health Districts in Burkina Faso
Background: Burkina Faso uses community health workers to provide care for children’s illnesses. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of these workers in delivering community-based services. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the health districts of Boussé and Boussouma, with data collected from December 20, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Stratified sampling selected households with at least one child aged five. Data were entered into KoboTools, and proportions were calculated using IBM SPSS software. Results: 183 CHWs and 960 household members participated in this study, which showed that the package offered consisted mainly of preventive and curative care. The CHWs knew the symptoms of the diseases targeted by the community-based integrated management of childhood illnesses but lacked knowledge about the complications. Their main mode of transport was bicycles, and they had difficulty transporting their supplies. Some lacked the necessary medicines for treatment. Conclusions: This study showed that the community-based integrated management of childhood illnesses is not being applied effectively, despite government efforts, due to a lack of knowledge and logistical gaps. More funding is needed to address these shortcomings.
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