Using Participatory Approaches for Community Health Worker Training

Community health workers (CHWs) are a key human resource for health, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Participatory training approaches for CHWs are increasingly important as they actively engage participants, facilitate shared learning, and are more responsive to the needs of the learners. In addition, participatory training methods build teamwork and confidence, enhance critical thinking, and are interesting to learners. This chapter presents different participatory training methods for CHWs, including role-plays, demonstrations, songs, small and large group discussions, brainstorming, debates, simulations, exercises, field trips, gallery walks, class presentations, practicals, case studies, and interactive exercises. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each method are also presented. Despite the strengths and weaknesses of each of the methods, it is important that the local context is always considered while selecting which ones to be used in a CHW training programme.