Tuberculosis in the community: 2. The perceptions of members of a tuberculosis health team towards a voluntary health worker programme.
METHODS
A voluntary community health worker programme, in the Western Cape, South Africa, utilizing volunteers to administer directly observed therapy to tuberculosis (TB) patients.


OBJECTIVE
This study describes the perceptions of health team members regarding the voluntary community health worker project.


METHODS
A qualitative, participatory research study utilizing focus groups.


RESULTS
TB was perceived by the health team to be a stigmatized disease causing some patients to be reluctant to be associated with the TB control programme. Despite the project's dedicated approach to case-holding, volunteers expressed the need to develop skills in providing more comprehensive care. The volunteers appear to administer a more personalized service to TB patients and can bridge the gap between TB patients and the health agency.


CONCLUSIONS
Sustained evaluation and support seem to be a vital tool in integrating a volunteer project into a health team approach. Its effectiveness appears to depend to a large degree on the people involved.
Dick
J
J
National Tuberculosis Research Programme, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Schoeman
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013019:South Africa; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014838:Volunteers