Uptake of task shifting as a community strategy in Kenya
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Publication Date
2013-05-30Author
Mumbo, Hazel M
Ochieng, Beverly M
Kaseje, Dan O
Aila, Fredrick O
Odera, Odhiambo
Odera, Odhiambo
Ayugi, Mary E
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Show full item recordAbstract/ Overview
The objective of the study was to evaluate the uptake of task shifting as a
community strategy in Kenya. This study adopted qualitative data collection methods in three
different contexts; peri-urban, rural and arid Kenya. The results suggest that voluntary
counselling and testing, community health education, hygiene, referrals and family planning
services should be shifted to Community Health Workers (CHWs) and they should be trained
to diagnose and treat some common childhood ailment. There is evidence that CHWs
perform an important role in helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
for health, particularly for child survival and treatment of TB and HIV/AIDS. Effective task
shifting requires appropriate utilization of primary health care services, effective training and
incentives for health workers to provide services.