Role of the community
What motivates lay volunteers in high burden but resource-limited tuberculosis control programmes? Perceptions from the Northern Cape province, South Africa
Incentives needed to sustain volunteers in community-based TB programmes
Authors:
S. Kironde; S. Klassen
Publisher:
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2002
This article, from the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, explores factors that motivate lay volunteers to joint tuberculosis (TB) control programmes in high burden, resource-limited settings. The study, based in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, found that volunteers do not receive monetary incentives in Northern Cape TB programmes. However, hope of eventual remuneration was the strongest motivation for joining the programme. Attrition rates among volunteers were high, with 22 per cent dropping out within one year of joining. Most cited loss of interest and the desire for paid work as reasons for leaving. Other motivating factors for participation included: altruism; having something to do with their spare time; gaining work experience; and the novelty of a community-based TB programme.
The authors conclude that, in the absence of monetary incentives, attrition rates of volunteers will remain high, which can threaten the effectiveness of community-based TB programmes. Participants outlined how non-monetary incentives such as t-shirts and badges, were seen as enablers rather than incentives and thought that gaining qualifications while volunteering would be more useful. The authors stress the importance of identifying and implementing appropriate alternative incentives in resource-limited settings. These incentives are needed to help motivate lay volunteers and sustain community participants in high TB burden areas.
