Impact of a recognition package as an incentive to strengthen the motivation, performance, and retention of village health teams in Uganda: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

This study evaluates the impact of a recognition-based non-financial incentives package on the motivation, performance, and retention of VHTs, as well as on the utilization of health services by the community. The incentive package and intervention were developed in collaboration with the district -level leadership and award VHTs who have met predetermined performance thresholds with a certificate and a government-branded jacket in a public ceremony.MethodsA two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), conducted at the parish level in Uganda ’s Masindi District, will evaluate the effects of the 12-month intervention. The cluster-RCT will use a mixed-methods approach, which includes a baseline/endline VHT survey to assess the impact of the intervention on key outcomes, with an expected sample of 240 VHTs per study arm; our primary outc ome is the total number of household visits per VHT and our multiple secondary outcomes include other performance indicators, motivation, and retention; VHT performance and retention data will be validated using monthly phone surveys tracking key performance indicators and through abstraction of VHT -submitted health facility reports; and focus group discussions will be conducted with VHTs and community members to understand how the intervention was received. Data collection activities will be administered in local languages. To assess the impact of the intervention, the study will conduct a re gression analysis using Generalized Estim...
Source: Trials - Category: Research Source Type: clinical trials