Evaluating the impact of structured training programs for village health workers on healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings: Evidence from The Gambia

Ebrima Bah and Saroj Adhikari

PLOS Global Public Health, 2025, vol. 5, issue 8, 1-9

Abstract: Community health workers (CHWs) are critical in bridging healthcare gaps in underserved areas, particularly in resource-limited settings. In The Gambia, Village Health Workers (VHWs) play a pivotal role in primary healthcare delivery. Despite their significance, evidence on the effectiveness of structured training programs for VHWs remains sparse. This study evaluates the impact of a training program designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of VHWs in The Gambia, focusing on their capacity to address key community health needs. A retrospective quantitative design was employed, analyzing pre- and post-test scores from VHWs across three health regions in The Gambia. The training included 60 sessions on topics such as child health, nutrition, sanitation, and disease prevention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and one-way ANOVA to assess improvements in knowledge and identify influencing factors like age, sex, and education level. The results revealed significant improvements in knowledge and practical skills, with mean post-test scores increasing by 26.32 points (p

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pgph00:0005079

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005079

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