Tuberculosis in the community: 2. The perceptions of members of a tuberculosis health team towards a voluntary health worker programme

Setting: A voluntary community health worker programme, in the Western Cape, South Africa, utilizing volunteers to administer directly observed therapy to tuberculosis (TB) patients. Objective: This study describes the perceptions of health team members regarding the voluntary community health worker project. Design: A qualitative, participatory research study utilizing focus groups. Results: TB was perceived by the health team to be a stigmatized disease causing some patients to be reluctant to be associated with the TB control programme. Despite the project's dedicated approach to case-holding, volunteers expressed the need to develop skills in providing more comprehensive care. The volunteers appear to administer a more personalized service to TB patients and can bridge the gap between TB patients and the health agency. Conclusion: Sustained evaluation and support seem to be a vital tool in integrating a volunteer project into a health team approach. Its effectiveness appears to depend to a large degree on the people involved.