A descriptive study on motivations for entering and remaining, exiting community-based tuberculosis care among volunteers in Yangon, Myanmar

Kyaw Htet; Yin Myat Thwe; Saw Thein; Lisa Kawatsu; Nobukatsu Ishikawa; Kosuke Okada

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A descriptive study on motivations for entering and remaining, exiting community-based tuberculosis care among volunteers in Yangon, Myanmar

VernacularTitle:A descriptive study on motivations for entering and remaining, exiting community-based tuberculosis care among volunteers in Yangon, Myanmar
Author: Kyaw HTET ¹ ; Yin Myat THWE ² ; Saw THEIN ¹ ; Lisa KAWATSU ¹ ; Nobukatsu ISHIKAWA ³ ; Kosuke OKADA ⁴
Author Information

1. Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Myanmar
2. Department of International Programmes, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association
3. Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association
4. Nagoya City University, School of Nursing International Health Nursing
Keywords: Tuberculosis; community health volunteers; motivation; Myanmar
From:Journal of International Health 2024;39(1):1-8
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: Background Since the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) have become critical assets to assist tuberculosis (TB) control programs in low and middle-income countries, such as in case finding and treatment support activities. Yet community-based tuberculosis control programs (CBTBC) are faced with numerous challenges, including recruitment and retaining of CHVs. While the possible effect of financial incentives has been extensively discussed, other motivational factors have received less attention. Objective This study sought to explore on potential motivations for entering, remaining, and exiting volunteer work among CHVs working in a CBTBC project run by an NGO, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association (JATA), in urban townships of Yangon, Myanmar.Methods A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to CHVs who were working for a JATA CBTBC project in Yangon, Myanmar. The questionnaire consisted of closed- and open-ended questions asking about demographic characteristics, their experiences, and their motivations for entering, remaining and exiting volunteer work. Functional theory of motivation was used as a conceptual framework for analysis.Results A total of 69 volunteers participated in the survey, representing 69% of all CHVs for JATA CBTBC (69/100). From the questionnaire, we found that altruism, self-empowerment, and psychological job satisfaction mainly influenced CHVs’ motivation to enter and remain in volunteer work. Expectations for financial incentives were less important. Being busy with housework and other work priorities could motivate them to temporarily exist volunteer work, while ill-health and old age potentially triggered permanent exit. Conclusions CHVs working in JATA CBTBC were motivated mainly by altruism, self-empowerment, and psychological job satisfaction - however, their volunteer work must be systematically supported so as to avoid unnecessary burden on CHVs. Further qualitative study would extend the evidences of the potential factors which might contribute to sustaining CHV participation.