Community Health Workers Roles and Responsibilities

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the CHPS strategy?

Rural communities

Communities in deprived sub-districts (correct)

Urban communities

Elderly communities

What is the role of Community Health Management Committees?

To provide community level guidance and mobilization for the planning and delivery of health activities (correct)

To supervise CHVs

To provide medical services to the community

To manage the CHPS compound

What is a CHPS Zone?

A community health facility

A community health volunteer

A demarcated geographical area of up to 5000 persons or 750 households in densely populated areas (correct)

A demarcated geographical area of up to 1000 persons

Who are Community Health Volunteers (CHVs)?

Non-salaried community members identified and trained to support CHOs Signup and view all the answers

What is a CHPS Compound?

An approved structure consisting of a service delivery point and accommodation complex Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a Community Health Officer (CHO)?

To work in a CHPS zone and may be assigned to a community within the zone Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Ghanaians had limited access to health care before the introduction of the CHPS system?

35% Signup and view all the answers

Why was the region of Navrongo chosen to pilot the new model of health service delivery?

Because it was one of the poorest and most difficult to reach areas in the country Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of introducing outreach services through mobile clinics?

To improve access to preventive health services in rural communities Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the CHPS system after five years, according to the Navrongo Health Research Centre?

A significant reduction in child mortality rates and improvement in basic health service coverage Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the community in the CHPS system?

To elect health volunteers and members of health committees Signup and view all the answers

What was the main challenge faced by rural communities in accessing health services before the introduction of the CHPS system?

Lack of transport and bad roads Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the high maternal mortality rates before the introduction of the CHPS system?

Failure to recognize the danger signs of pregnancy complications Signup and view all the answers

What was the main advantage of the CHPS system over the traditional healthcare system?

It brought health services closer to the community Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Community Health Personnel

A Community Health Officer (CHO) is a trained and oriented Community Health Nurse working in a CHPS zone and may be assigned to a community within the zone.
Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are non-salaried community members who are identified and trained to support CHOs in a community within the CHPS zone.

Community Health Management Committees

Community Health Management Committees consist of community leaders with different competencies and responsibilities who volunteer to provide community-level guidance and mobilization for planning and delivering health activities.
These committees also ensure the welfare of CHOs in their community.

CHPS Strategy

CHPS is a national strategy to deliver essential community-based health services involving planning and service delivery with communities.
Its primary focus is on communities in deprived sub-districts, aiming to bring health services close to the community.

CHPS Zone and Compound

A CHPS Zone is a demarcated geographical area with up to 5000 persons or 750 households in densely populated areas.
A CHPS Zone may be coterminous with electoral areas where feasible.
A CHPS Compound refers to an approved structure consisting of a service delivery point and accommodation complex, both of which must be present.

Healthcare in Ghana Before CHPS

Before the introduction of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) system, 35% of Ghanaians had limited access to healthcare, especially in hard-to-reach communities.
Many children died from preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, measles, acute respiratory tract infection, and cholera.
Maternal mortality was high due to delayed recognition of danger signs, lack of transport, and bad roads.

Introduction of Outreach Services

The government introduced mobile clinics to improve access to preventive health services in rural communities.

The CHPS System

The CHPS system was piloted in the Navrongo region of the Upper East region, one of the poorest and most difficult to reach areas of the country.
A nurse was allocated to each community to live among the people and attend to their health needs.
Community members were elected to serve as health volunteers or as members of health committees.
The community provided accommodation for the nurses.

Outcome of CHPS

The Navrongo Health Research Centre assessed the performance of CHPS over five years and found that it successfully reduced child mortality and improved basic health service coverage.

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Description

This quiz assesses knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of Community Health Officers, Volunteers, and Management Committees in a CHPS zone.