Evaluation of community health services utilization. A case study from Columbia.
In a PHC project in Chocó, Columbia, Community Health Workers (CHWs) were trained in curative care of some simple diseases. Consultations were registered in a village-based monitoring system. Of registered cases, about 60% was treated by CHWs and 15% referred by them. Episodes were underregistered. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 6 villages, among 890 persons. The CHW was consulted in 6.5% of the cases in which a consultation had been made. This low percentage of consulting the CHW is explained by the lack of perception of all diagnosed morbidity. Reasons for low consultation rates were found in a household survey. Suggestions on improvement of the utilization of CHW services are presented.
Engelkes
P E
PE
International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, The Netherlands.
D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012042:Registries; D012423:Rural Health / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome