THE ROLES OF INFORMAL COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH WORKERS IN GLOBAL HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC CONTROL TARGETS BY 2030 IN NIGERIA – International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce

THE ROLES OF INFORMAL COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH WORKERS IN GLOBAL HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC CONTROL TARGETS BY 2030 IN NIGERIA

Authors: Ewoigbokhan Stalin Edegba & Lambert Edward

ABSTRACT

Background

Various categories of informal community-based health workers (CBHWs) across sub-Saharan Africa carry out different functions to address HIV/AIDS including support of the patients and families and support of the health system.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate and document the characteristics and the specific roles of informal CBHWs in Nigeria’s pursuit of the HIV/AIDS epidemic control targets of 95-95-95 by 2030. A total of 642 CBHWs were identified and interviewed in four Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Methods

Quantitative data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire to elicit responses from the community-based health workers. Of CBHWs, 261 were Community Volunteers (CVs), 83 were Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 297 were Patent Medicine Sellers (PMVs), and 3 were Traditional Healers(THLs).

Results

The majority of the CBHWs were females; Most (72%) were aged 24-49 years. Over 90% had attended secondary or higher education, and 60% had received HIV/AIDS-related training. Of the CBHWs, 285 (63%) were engaged in activities contributing to the first Ninety-five, 254(55%) undertaking activities contributing to the 2nd Ninety-five (linkage/retention in treatment) while only 176(38%) of them participated in activities that contributed to monitoring of viral suppression (3rd Ninety-five). On average, 74% of CVs, 31% of TBAs, and 20% of PMVs undertake activities across the three 95s.

Conclusions

The study concludes that CBHWs provide HIV/AIDS-related services. The levels of their participation in HIV service delivery are related to the support they get from Community-Based Organizations, government, and communities. Also, the government’s guidelines on “task-shifting” limit the use of their full potential. The government should review these guidelines to broaden the roles of CBHWs.

Keywords: Community-based-health workers, HIV Epidemic Control Targets, Task-shifting, anti-Retroviral Therapy

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