TY - JOUR T1 - Enhancing Performance and Sustainability of Community Health Worker Programs in Uganda: Lessons and Experiences From Stakeholders JF - Global Health: Science and Practice JO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT SP - 855 LP - 868 DO - 10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00260 VL - 9 IS - 4 AU - David Musoke AU - Edwinah Atusingwize AU - Rawlance Ndejjo AU - Charles Ssemugabo AU - Penelope Siebert AU - Linda Gibson Y1 - 2021/12/31 UR - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/4/855.abstract N2 - Key FindingsCapacity building and use of technology, supervision, and motivation, as well as stakeholder engagement and collaboration, are key to the success of community health worker (CHW) programs.Strengthening recruitment, training, and retention strategies; improving motivation; streamlining coordination mechanisms; and developing and strengthening community health policies are needed to enhance the performance of CHWs.Key ImplicationsPolicy makers including the Ministry of Health and implementing partners need to consider CHW needs, existing structures, and policies for enhanced performance of CHWs.The workshop methodology can be used in health systems research to inform policy, practice, and programming particularly in low- and middle-income countries, such as Uganda.Background:Community health worker (CHW) programs in Uganda have contributed to improved health outcomes in recent years. However, opportunities for engaging the various stakeholders supporting CHW programs have been limited. This article presents workshop findings where several stakeholders shared their lessons and experiences that can enhance performance and sustainability of CHW programs in Uganda.Methods:We collected qualitative data from stakeholders from government, private, and community organizations, as well as CHWs, involved in CHW programs in Uganda during a 1-day workshop. The workshop involved plenary presentations and group discussions on critical aspects of CHW programs. All proceedings from the workshop were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by thematic content analysis.Results:Four major themes emerged from the workshop: lessons learned in implementing CHW programs, challenges affecting CHW programs, performance of CHWs, and ensuring sustainability of CHW programs. Key lessons learned related to 3 main subthemes: capacity building and use of technology, supervision and motivation, and stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Challenges affecting CHW programs identified included poor coordination, fragmented data collection systems, high program expectations, inadequate support mechanisms, and high dropout rates. Mechanisms for improving the performance of CHWs emphasized the need to: strengthen recruitment, training, and retention strategies; improve motivation; streamline coordination mechanisms; and develop and strengthen community health policies. The sustainability of CHW programs requires institutionalization; sustainable funding; economic empowerment of CHWs; local ownership; and a strengthened research agenda.Conclusion:To improve the performance and sustainability of CHWs programs, stakeholders such as policy makers and implementing partners need to consider CHW needs, existing structures and policies, as well as local support. ER -