Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Nairobi are facing significant mental health challenges, with a new research report by LVCT Health and the SHINE project calling for increased public awareness, stronger stakeholder support and improved working conditions for frontline health workers.
The research findings reveal a hidden mental health burden among CHPs, who play a critical role in connecting households to essential healthcare services, particularly in informal settlements and underserved communities.
According to the report, one in four CHPs screened positive for depression, while one in three screened positive for anxiety, raising concerns about the psychological well-being of workers expected to support the health needs of communities.
The findings also indicate that CHPs working in urban settings experience up to five times the stress burden of their rural counterparts, pointing to the unique pressures associated with delivering healthcare services in densely populated and resource-constrained environments.
The challenges are compounded by financial difficulties, with more than 90 per cent of surveyed CHPs reporting inadequate or unfair stipends and spending their own money to support community members.
These financial pressures, combined with demanding workloads and the emotional demands of community service, highlight the need to strengthen the systems supporting CHPs as they carry out their responsibilities.
LVCT Health and the SHINE project are engaging the media to raise awareness of these challenges and encourage greater recognition of the contribution made by CHPs to Kenya’s healthcare system.
The engagement seeks to promote informed reporting on the realities facing frontline health workers while encouraging policymakers, healthcare institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in their welfare.
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Community Health Promoters are an essential link between households and formal health facilities. Their work includes promoting disease prevention, providing health education, identifying health concerns within communities and facilitating access to appropriate healthcare services.
However, the findings suggest that the people responsible for promoting community health also need support to protect their own mental well-being.
The high levels of reported depression and anxiety underscore the importance of accessible mental health services, regular psychosocial support and workplace systems that enable CHPs to seek assistance without fear of stigma.
Stakeholders are also being urged to address financial constraints by reviewing stipend arrangements, ensuring timely and fair compensation, and reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure incurred while serving communities.
In addition, tailored interventions are needed for urban CHPs, particularly those working in informal settlements where poverty, overcrowding and limited access to essential services can complicate healthcare delivery.
Media coverage is expected to play an important role in bringing these issues to public attention, amplifying the experiences of CHPs and encouraging accountability among institutions responsible for supporting the workforce.
The findings highlight the need to view the well-being of community health workers as an integral part of strengthening healthcare delivery rather than an individual responsibility.
As Kenya continues to rely on community-based healthcare to improve access to essential services, stakeholders are being called upon to ensure that CHPs receive the financial, professional and psychological support necessary to perform their duties effectively.
Protecting the mental health and welfare of CHPs is essential not only for their personal well-being but also for sustaining the quality and reliability of healthcare services delivered to communities.
