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Table 2 Summary of CHWs' competencies and attributes

From: Personal attributes and competencies required by community health workers for a role in integrated mental health care for perinatal depression: voices of primary health care stakeholders from Surabaya, Indonesia

Competencies

Knowledge, skills, attributes

Qualities and specific topics

Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge (about)

Pregnancy: physical and psychological changes during pregnancy

 

Maternal life

 

Children development

 

Perinatal depression: symptoms of depression and strategies of detection

Attitude

Having positive attitude towards the mental health of pregnant women

 

Being confident towards CHWs’ role for future generation

Skills and personal qualities

Communication skills

Having good communication techniques, i.e. manner of speaking/asking questions and using nonjudgmental and simple language

 

Being aware to the confidentiality of an issue

Social skills

Socially active and able to socialize well

 

Being alert to community needs

 

Respect for cultural diversity

Personality

Open-minded and have problem-solving skills

 

Mature, patient, and caring to others

Personal attributes

Age

Being 30–50 years old is the most preferable; below 30 is less trusted and lack of skills; above 60 is less productive

Level of education

Having basic literacy (reading and writing) is necessary, but having a minimum of high school educational background is more preferred

Sex

Female is preferred, but male is acceptable

Motivation

Self-willingness and are not money-driven, ‘ikhlas’

Experience

Have experience in marriage, pregnancy, and working with mothers