Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38504273›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2024

Mixed method evaluation of a learning from excellence programme for community health workers in Neno, Malawi.

Maartje Kletter, Bronwyn Harris, Emilia Connolly, Chifundo Namathanga, Basimenye Nhlema, Henry Makungwa, Benson Chabwera, Benson Phiri, Celia Brown

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Observational
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Maartje KletterThe University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. maartje.kletter@manchester.ac.uk.
Bronwyn HarrisWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
Emilia ConnollyPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Chifundo NamathangaPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Basimenye NhlemaPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Henry MakungwaPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Benson ChabweraPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Benson PhiriPartners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi.
Celia BrownWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCommunity Health Workers (CHWs) play an essential role in linking communities to facility-based healthcare. However, CHW programmes have often been hampered by low levels of staff motivation, and new tools aimed at improving staff motivation and work environment are needed. One such intervention is the "Learning from Excellence" (LfE) programme. We aimed to assess feasibility, outputs, and impact of a co-designed LfE programme on CHW motivation, in Neno District.

methodsWe conducted a convergent mixed-method evaluation of the LfE programme. Co-design of the programme and forms took place between October 2019 and January 2020. LfE forms submitted between September and November 2020 were analysed using descriptive statistics and memos summarising answers to the open-ended question. To investigate experiences with LfE we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, CHWs, and site supervisors, which were analysed thematically. A pre-post intervention questionnaire was developed to assess the impact of the co-designed LfE intervention on CHW motivation and perceived supervision. Outcomes were triangulated into a logic model.

resultsIn total 555 LfE forms were submitted, with 34.4% of CHWs in Neno District submitting at least one LfE report. Four themes were identified in the interviews: LfE implementation processes, experience, consequences, and recommendations. A total of 50 CHWs participated in the questionnaire in January 2020 and 46 of them completed the questionnaire in December 2020. No statistically significant differences were identified between pre-and post-LfE measurements for both motivation (Site F: p = 0.86; Site G: p = 0.31) and perceived supervision (Site F: p = 0.95; Site G: p = 0.45). A logic model, explaining how the LfE programme could impact CHWs was developed.

conclusionsMany CHWs participated in the LfE intervention between September 2020 and November 2020. LfE was welcomed by CHWs and stakeholders as it allowed them to appreciate excellent work in absence of other opportunities to do so. However, no statistically significant differences in CHW motivation and perceived supervision were identified. While the intervention was feasible in Neno District, we identified several barriers and facilitators for implementation. We developed a logic model to explain contextual factors, and mechanisms that could lead to LfE outcomes for CHWs in Neno District. The developed logic model can be used by those designing and implementing interventions like LfE for health workers.

Indexed as

Community Health WorkersDelivery of Health CareHealth FacilitiesHumansMalawiMotivationQualitative ResearchCommunity Health workersEvaluationLogic modelMixed methodPositive psychology

Identifiers

PMID38504273
PMCPMC10953074

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.