The roles and needs of community health workers in developing countries: An exploratory case study in South Africa

Extending the reach of primary health care is important as it is both a human rights issue as well as a developmental necessity. Necessarily, the UN Millennium Development Goals and 2030 South African Development Plan afforded some appreciation to this. To achieve extended reach, Community Health Workers are being deployed within rural communities to provide assistive health care at the community level. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the Community Health Workers in terms of their roles, skills and technological capabilities in a South African context. This is a barrier to unlocking the possibilities that technologies such as mobile phones can offer to facilitate and support the daily functions of these Community Health Workers. This paper articulates the findings of an initial exploratory study that was conducted in two communities in South Africa with a view of contributing to the understanding of the roles, needs and technological capabilities of Community Health Workers. The study found that most Community Health Workers work as volunteers who provide primary health care services in the community without the skills required for diagnosis. If diagnosis is required the patients are referred to health care facilities. The study also discovered that most Community Health Workers have access to, and are familiar with the basic use of a mobile phone - this creates an opportunity to implement technologies that will assist these Community Health Workers in their daily activities and thereby making positive impact in primary health care.