Increased Quality of Life: An unkown benefit to Community Health Workers

Background: Research has focused on the impact that Community Health Workers (CHWs) play on increasing the capacity and Quality of Life (QoL) of the community. Yet the impact of being a CHW on the QoL of the CHW as an individual has not yet been determined.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to measure how being a CHW impacted the QoL of the CHW individually.

Methods: Extensive literature review on increased QoL of CHWs. A total of 4 theory-based semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with CHWs; transcriptions coded and themed using grounded theory. Key informant interviews covered five domains of quality of life: physical health and lifestyle, psychological well-being, connection with the community and social relations. Additionally, participants were given a QoL tool to quantitatively compare prior and current perceived QoL status.

Results: Key informant interviews revealed highly correlated themes on 1) increased health status in the areas of nutrition, fitness and lifestyle behavior change 2) increased self-confidence and self-motivation for positive change 3) stronger community connections due to heightened sense of social responsibility and 4) amplified social relations within the family and community ties. QoL tool revealed significant changes of perceived QoL prior to becoming a CHW to current role as a predominant CHW.

Conclusions: CHWs will take a leading role in presenting their experiences and demonstrate that building individual capacity is foundational to building community capacity. Further research is needed to identify how increased QoL contributes to the holistic impact of CHWs.