About the course

Volunteer community health workers (CHWs) are a major strategy for increasing access to and coverage of basic health interventions. The village health worker training course reviews the process of training and continuing education of CHWs as an important component of involving communities in their own health service delivery. Participants are guided through the steps of planning training and continuing education activities for village volunteers. The course draws on real-life examples from community-directed onchocerciasis control, village health worker programs, community case management efforts, peer educators programs and patent medicine vendor training programs, to name a few.

Schedule-6 weeks. 

Estimated learning effort

4 - 5 hours per week. One is required to pass all graded assignments to complete the course.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Module 1
In this module, we will focus on the principles of learning, as well as approaching the health service and the community. There will almost be a quiz covering the first two lectures.

WEEK 2: Module 2
In this module, we will focus on what information we will need to begin training and planning, as well as cover content, objectives, and SMART objectives. There will be a quiz covering lectures 3-4 after completing the lectures in this module. You will also begin to create your rough draft of your plan in the Course Project.

WEEK 3: Module 3
In this module, we will focus on a variety of methods, training logistics, and educational materials. There will be a quiz that covers lecture 5-6 to after completing these lectures in this module.

WEEK 4: Module 4
In this module, we will focus on monitoring, as well as look at a sample community volunteer session. There will be a quiz covering lectures 7-8 after completing the lectures in this module. You will also be able to revise your rough draft in the Course Project section of this module.

WEEK 5: Module 5
In this module, we will focus on evaluation, performance, and supervision. There will be a quiz covering lectures 9-10 after completing the lectures in this module.
 

WEEK 6: Module 6
In this module, you will submit your final draft of your plan and wrap-up the course.