Community Health Promoters and Mental Health

Skills and Challenges in Luanda Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are community members who link formal health facilities and the community. They provide basic preventive, promotive and referral health services in the community. With the increase in mental health-related ailments in the community, there is a need to address the skills gap that may hinder the CHPs from being effective in raising mental health awareness, identifying, and making appropriate referrals. This study sought to determine knowledge levels of mental health disorders among the CHPs and also to establish awareness and accessibility of resources for effective service delivery. This study used a survey research design that employed mixed methods. One hundred eighty Community Health Promoters from Luanda Sub-County in Vihiga County, Kenya, responded. A knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire was used for data collection. Quantitative data were coded and entered into the SPSS software version 29 for analysis. Qualitative data were categorised, thematically classified, and presented using appropriate descriptive terms and sections based on areas of concern. Findings indicated that the majority of the respondents had a secondary-level education (65.1%) and had more than 6 years’ experience as CHPs (65%). Only a minority (13%) had a sound understanding of mental health issues. Most (95%) reported that they had encountered a person with mental health challenges, implying that the prevalence of mental health issues in the community could be high. On skills levels in handling mental health challenges, only 40% rated themselves as good or excellent. The study concluded that the majority of CHPs lacked basic knowledge on mental health, interventional skills, and knowledge on referral places for the clients struggling with mental health. There is a need to provide need-based information that will inform intervention programs, making the CHPs more effective in their work and influencing the policy that guides their operations.