Indigenous lay health workers in rural Arizona

Abstract

Indigenous, trained health workers or community health advisors (CHAs) serve as a liaison between community and professional health providers. Particularly in rural communities, where differences of culture, perspective, or language may distance professional health care providers from clients, CHAs can serve as a bridge to reduce barriers of access and acceptability of health care services. This study was a secondary analysis of data from a larger study (Ferketich, Phillips, and Verran, 1990.) The purpose of this study was to describe the activities, services, and clients of one generalist CHA, called a promotora, in one small, rural, southwestern town. Qualitative and quantitative data from three sources were individually analyzed and then triangulated for results.