Table 2.
CHW survey in Sylhet District, Bangladesh: factors influencing decision to become a CHW
| Current N = 46 |
Former N = 23 |
Total N = 69 |
p from Chi-square | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-development | I expected the experience will enhance my communication skills. | 38 (83%) | 17 (74%) | 55 (80%) | N.S. |
| I expected to get involved in the community. | 33 (72%) | 15 (65%) | 48 (70%) | N.S. | |
| I expected I will have a new sense of self-pride and accomplishment. | 37 (80%) | 18 (78%) | 55 (80%) | N.S. | |
| I hoped to gain skills that would enable me to work as a health practitioner. | 34 (74%) | 20 (87%) | 54 (78%) | N.S. | |
| I wanted to eventually work elsewhere and knew that field experience was required. | 28 (61%) | 13 (57%) | 41 (59%) | N.S. | |
| Financial independence | I needed to earn money to help support my family. | 23 (50%) | 8 (35%) | 31 (45%) | N.S. |
| I wanted to earn money to save for school | 5 (11%) | 2 (9%) | 7 (10%) | N.S. | |
| Value and recognition | My family and friends encouraged me apply for the job. | 16 (35%) | 13 (57%) | 29 (42%) | 0.022 |
| I knew of other CHWs who were respected in the community. | 12 (26%) | 4 (17%) | 16 (23%) | N.S. | |
| I believed working as a CHW was a respectable, honourable job. | 29 (63%) | 12 (52%) | 41 (59%) | N.S. | |
| Use of available time | I wanted to spend my time constructively. | 23 (50%) | 11 (48%) | 34 (49%) | N.S. |
| I knew much of my time would be required, but I had a lot time to offer. | 20 (43%) | 16 (70%) | 36 (52%) | 0.024 | |
| Improve community health | I wanted to learn about newborn and maternal care for my own family. | 29 (63%) | 20 (87%) | 49 (71%) | 0.039 |
| I wanted to improve the health of the community. | 36 (78%) | 22 (96%) | 58 (84%) | N.S. | |
Sample: 69 of the 73 current and former CHWs in the project at time of the survey