CORE ROLES AND COMPETENCES CHANGE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF THE AFRICA CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

Abstract

Given many healthcare systems around the world are buckling under the weight of COVID-19, the pandemic has presented significant challenges to countries with weak healthcare systems. One cadre of healthcare workers at the forefront of addressing the pandemic are Community Health Workers (CHWs), who have roles in prevention, detection and response. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the roles and competency changes: How have CHW roles, skills, and qualities changed over time before and during the pandemic in Africa centers for disease control and prevention (ACDC). The study is going to be guided by the following specific objectives: discuss the evidence-based COVID-19 prevention recommendations on how individuals can help themselves, their families and communities in preventing or slowing the spread of COVID-19, to investigate the roles of CHWs in COVID 19 vaccination roll out. The study was conducted among the community health workers at Health post and Primary Health Care level health department during the pandemic of COVID-19 from Africa CDC headquarters Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study adopted by using mixed research approach and made use of both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected directly from the participants through using selfadministered questionnaire and secondary data were gathered from secondary sources from the ACDC annual reports, through reviewing both published and unpublished documents such as books, articles, reports and other publication. The data gathered through questionnaire survey, mostly using 5-point Likert scale items and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Findings were presented using tables, charts and interpreted and discussed using qualitative narrations. Findings of the review reveal that CHWs are a critical source of education and care for their communities during emergency situations such as pandemics. CHWs are continuing their routine services, at increased capacities, in addition to providing new health information and services, such as educating households on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, contract tracing, and referring clients to facilities for testing and advanced care. There are gaps, however, in aspects of COVID-19 training and CHW knowledge of guidelines. This review recommends a more effectively functioning of Africa Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC), including improved functions in regional coordination, epidemiologic analysis, and partnership development.