DEPLOYMENT OF A MOBILE-BASED CLINICAL COMPETENCY CHECKLIST FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS (CHEWS) IN KHANA LGA OF RIVERS STATE

This study explores the deployment of a mobile-based clinical competency checklist for the quality assurance of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Khana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. The primary challenge addressed is the inconsistency in service delivery and the difficulty in monitoring the clinical skills of CHEWs in remote areas, which directly impacts community health outcomes. The research is anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which examines how perceived usefulness and ease of use influence the adoption of new technology. A mixed-method approach was utilized, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A sample of 150 CHEWs and 20 supervisors was selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using mean scores, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the mobile-based checklist was perceived as highly useful for real-time monitoring and feedback. However, challenges such as network connectivity and digital literacy were significant barriers to adoption. The study concludes that a mobile-based checklist can significantly enhance the quality assurance of CHEWs' clinical competencies, provided that infrastructural and training supports are adequately addressed. Recommendations include comprehensive training programs for CHEWs, improvements in digital infrastructure, and the integration of the tool into the formal health monitoring system.