75
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Working with community health workers to improve nutrition in rural KwaZulu-Natal

Pages 125-140 | Published online: 01 Jul 2010
 

Abstract

Addressing the health problems of disadvantaged communities requires innovative strategies in a situation of resource constraints. A community-based participatory intervention was undertaken in southern KwaZulu-Natal, using 18 local community health workers (CHWs). A baseline survey was conducted by each CHW, who visited five households to investigate factors affecting nutrition. After a training programme of monthly nutrition workshops, CHWs shared this information with local community members by visiting households and holding community meetings. After six months, a second questionnaire administered by CHWs investigated householder perceptions of the intervention. Data from the initial survey served as a basis for the content of the nutrition intervention by CHWs to improve health by influencing dietary practices. Factors affecting nutrition that were investigated included dietary practices, breastfeeding, sanitation, source of water and food gardens. CHWs learnt from this nutrition intervention and spread this information among their communities, suggesting a useful role for CHWs in implementing health-promoting initiatives.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.