Exploring the contribution of community health workers to improving access to and utilization of routine immunization services in the Kindu health zone.
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Introduction : Routine immunization remains one of the most reliable and impactful public health strategies for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases in children. However, in the Kindu health zone of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, coverage levels continue to fall short of national and global targets. This gap persists despite the availability of vaccination services, largely due to sociocultural, informational, and organizational constraints.
Objectives : This study seeks to assess how community health workers contribute to improving both access to and the eective use of routine immunization services within the Kindu health zone.
Methods : A descriptive and analytical study design was employed. Data were gathered through document reviews, direct eld observations, and information provided by community stakeholders and health service personnel. The collected data were examined qualitatively to evaluate the role and performance of community health workers in routine immunization activities.
Main Results : The results reveal that community health workers play an essential role in educating caregivers, tracking children who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, reminding parents of scheduled vaccination appointments, and facilitating community
mobilization. Nonetheless, their impact is hindered by limited training opportunities, weak supervision, low motivation, and insufficient logistical resources.
Discussion : Enhancing the skills of community health workers, strengthening their integration into the broader health system, and ensuring consistent institutional support could substantially improve access to and the use of routine immunization services. A strong, community-centered approach appears crucial for achieving optimal vaccination coverage in the Kindu health zone.
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