THE KEY ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS IN THE USE OF MATERNAL SERVICES IN RURAL SETTINGS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

OBJECTIVE.: To understand the perception of the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) as facilitators of the use of maternal health services in rural settings. Materials and methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 CHWs assigned to the Paucara Health Center, selected by theoretical saturation sampling. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, and constant comparison was used to inductively identify emerging themes. RESULTS.: The interviews revealed three categories of perceptions: 1. Accompaniment and monitoring: pregnancy identification, home visits, community awareness, transfers in emergency cases, and challenges such as lack of remuneration and community misunderstandings; 2. Cultural and institutional mediation: integration of traditional practices, respectful treatment, addressing cultural barriers; 3. Management: reporting the situation of pregnant women, training, and communal referral. CONCLUSIONS.: CHWs perceive their roles as relevant in mitigating social, cultural, and structural barriers in maternal care. This study provides evidence for the design of public policies that can strengthen the recognition and sustainability of the CHWs' work, through an equitable and culturally sensitive maternal care model.