Angkana Sommanustweechai|Weerasak Putthasri|Mya Lay Nwe|Saw Thetlya Aung|Mya Min Theint|Viroj Tangcharoensathien|San Shway Wynn
Community health worker in hard-to-reach rural areas of Myanmar: filling primary health care service gaps
Ministry of Public Health|Ministry of Public Health|Ministry of Health|Ministry of Health|Ministry of Health|Ministry of Public Health
myanmar classified critical shortage health workforce responses limited number trained health workforce hardtoreach remote areas moh trained community health worker chw health volunteers serving communities pro bono basis study aimed assess socioeconomic profiles contributions chw primary health care services needs supports maintain quality contributions rural hard reach areas myanmarin 2013 crosssectional census survey conducted three groups chw classified training dates 1 prior 2000 2 2000 2011 3 recently trained 2012 still working 21 townships 17 states regions myanmar using selfadministered questionnaire survey burmese languagethe total 715 chws 21 townships completely responded questionnaire chws trained support work midwives subcentres health assistant midwives rural health centres rhcs community mobilization immunization advocates safe water sanitation general health education health awareness citizens chws able provide services treatment simple illnesses provided services 62 patients last 6 months contributions primary health care services well accepted communities geographically culturally accessible however supports rhc inadequate particular technical supervision well replenishment chw kits financial support work transportation practice 6 service provided chws funded community 22 patients chws confidence providing health services positively associated age education recent training majority intended serve chw next 5 years determined ages confidence training batchchws health volunteers community supporting midwives hardtoreach areas given contributions easy access policies strengthen support sustain contributions ensure quality services recommended