Community Health Workers’ Role in Preventing and Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background. The outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran in February 2019 prompted the Iran’s health system to plan for pandemic prevention and control. The national mobilization program (NMP) against COVID-19 was devised to support the sick and vulnerable and promote community awareness and skills regarding the crisis. This study aimed to investigate the role of community health workers (CHWs) in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods. The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The census method was used to study 30,034 rural health workers (RHW) and 22,573 urban health workers (UHW) working in medical universities. The required data were extracted using the integrated health system and the portal of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education's Primary Health Network Management Center and were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.
Results. More than 78 million people were screened during the first phase of the NMP , more than 42 million during the second phase, and more than 59 million during the third phase. In addition, by the end of the fourth phase of the NMP, 4,278,899 highly vulnerable individuals were screened. According to the health system's report, CHWs administered 28,073,777 vaccines since the implementation of the fifth step (until 04.09.2021)
Conclusion. Considering the facilities and capabilities of primary health care networks in providing prevention, diagnostic, and treatment services, the activity of the primary health network management center and all affiliated units in the implementation of the NMP has been significant since the beginning of this pandemic. Inadequacies in human resources, financial resources, and training planning should all be considered.