REFERRAL SERVICES OF LADY HEALTH WORKERS FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Better health care necessitates referring patients from the community to the medical center, and a key role in this regard is played by Community Health Workers (CHWs). In Pakistan, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) carry out the same function by referring patients to medical facilities for treatment especially for females of reproductive age. The objective of the current research was to gain understanding what female beneficiaries thought of LHWs' referral services. It was a quantitative research, and the theoretical basis of the study was the social ecology model. The respondents to the study were female LHW clients who had used referral services and were between the ages of 15 to 49 years. An interview schedule served as the tool for gathering data, and the participants were chosen using a proportionate systematic random sampling. According to the study findings majority respondents had an excellent experience regarding the referral services of LHWs to some appropriate health facility at proper time. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that this human resource be used to provide maternal health care to other impoverished areas in an effort to raise women's health status, as timely referrals to the appropriate medical facility can save many women' lives. Keywords: Referral, Community Health Workers, Lady Health Workers, Services, Maternal and Child Health