Table 4 CHW survey in Sylhet District, Bangladesh: job satisfaction and challenges related to work among current and former CHWs

Fulfilment of pre-hire expectations

Self-development

I have enhanced my communication skills.

38 (83%)

18 (78%)

56 (81%)

N.S.

I have enjoyed working in the community.

27 (59%)

12 (52%)

39 (57%)

N.S.

I have a new sense of self-pride and accomplishment from my job.

35 (76%)

18 (78%)

53 (77%)

N.S.

I feel that I have adequate field experience to qualify for other public health jobs.

32 (70%)

15 (65%)

47 (68%)

N.S.

Dissatisfaction with pay

I think I should be paid more.

39 (85%)

20 (87%)

59 (86%)

N.S.

I do not have enough money to cover my work-related expenses.

22 (48%)

13 (57%)

35 (51%)

N.S.

Recognition and contribution to community health

Newborn family valued my night attendance to delivery or newborn illness.

29 (91%)^a

7(88%)^a

36 (90%)^a

N.S.

Newborn family valued my care even in the event of a neonatal death

27 (90%)^b

7 (88%)^b

34 (89%)^b

N.S.

I am proud to be a CHW and feel that my work is valued.

32 (70%)

14 (61%)

46 (67%)

N.S.

Use of time

The job has required the amount of time than I expected it would.

27 (59%)

14 (61%)

41 (59%)

N.S.

Challenges in serving as CHW

Difficult aspects of work

Conducted night visits for delivery or illness

32 (70%)

8 (35%)

40 (58%)

0.0058

Experienced death of newborn under her care

30 (65%)

8 (35%)

38 (55%)

0.017

Working outside home community or area

11 (24%)

7 (30%)

18 (26%)

N.S.

Familial reaction to night work or work outside home area

My family discouraged and/or questioned necessity of my conducting night visits.

13 (41%)^a

5 (63%)^a

18 (45%)^a

N.S.

Moving outside home area a problem since I am not living with other family members.

6 (55%)^c

3 (43%)^c

9 (50%)^c

N.S.

I do not feel a part of the community.

4 (36%)^c

3 (43%)^c

7 (39%)^c

N.S.

Supervision, support and workload

Supervision & support^d

I receive immediate help when I need it.

29 (63%)

17 (74%)

46 (67%)

N.S.

I receive regular feedback from my supervisors on my performance and quality of work.

39 (85%)

22 (96%)

61 (88%)

N.S.

I feel that if I have a concern, I can share it with my supervisor/manager.

38 (83%)

20 (87%)

58 (84%)

N.S.

I feel that my supervisor understands my job and the challenges I face.

35 (76%)

16 (70%)

51 (74%)

N.S.

Workload

I have enough time to complete my daily tasks.

28 (61%)

15 (65%)

43 (62%)

N.S.

I have enough time for my personal duties.

3 (7%)

2 (9%)

5 (7%)

N.S.

My schedule is flexible, can tailor it to my preferences & those of families I work with.

22 (48%)

13 (57%)

35 (51%)

N.S.