APPLY BY
April 1, 2024
KNOW BY
June 1, 2024
DEPART BY
December 9, 2024
DURATION
2 years, plus 3 months training
APPLY ONLINE: Public Health Educator (peacecorps.gov)
Project Description
Public Health Educators work with Guinean community health workers, youth, caregivers, pregnant mothers, fathers, and all who promote and support the health of young children and mothers. The main goal of the health program is to increase the knowledge and skills of all these groups to improve maternal child health in Guinea. Guinea’s Ministry of Health is committed to reducing the maternal mortality rate from 724 per 100,000 births to 517 per 100,000 births and the child mortality rate from 123 per 1,000 births to 77 per 1,000 births by 2025. The global maternal mortality rate is 172 per 100,000 births, and child mortality is 31.2 per 1,000 births. Public Health Educators promote maternal and child health and teach about reproductive health, nutrition, immunization, and malaria prevention. In addition, they assist health center staff in daily activities, provide training on educational activities related to hygiene and sanitation, strengthen the capacity of community health workers, and support health sites in digitizing the community health system through data collection and management.
With more than 70% of Guinea’s population under the age of 30, young people face high rates of unemployment, inequitable gender norms, and adopt positive sexual and reproductive health practices at a low rate. The Government of Guinea seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes by strengthening the existing health system through increased health coverage and services provided. To meet this priority, Volunteers live in communities located near rural health centers or health posts.
Guinea's public health program focuses on the following activities:
• Prenatal and postnatal health care for pregnant mothers and newborns
• Promotion of family planning
• Promotion of breastfeeding up to 6 months
• Introduction of complementary foods after 6 months
• Prevention of communicable diseases, pneumonia, and sexually transmitted infections
• Prevention and fight against malaria
• Promote the vaccination of children under 5 years old
• Training on educational activities related to water, hygiene, and sanitation
• Strengthen the capacity of Community Health Workers
• Support health centers in the digitalization of the community health system
One of the primary goals for Volunteers is to encourage the use of local healthcare facilities by community members. Public Health Educators form strong, collaborative partnerships with community members to provide information and training on health issues ultimately related to preventative maternal and child health. Public Health Educators conduct outreach with a local counterpart through individual home visits, group meetings, youth groups, and school presentations.
Guinea’s Public Health program focuses on increasing the knowledge and skills of the following groups:
• Women and men to adopt practices that contribute to a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, good postpartum health, and a healthy newborn
• Child caregivers to improve the health of children under 5 and to prevent childhood illnesses
• Adolescents (10-24) to improve their health and well-being through health and life skills education (reproductive health, STI, family planning )
• Health workers to adopt practices that strengthen the community health system and services
Public Health Educators will have the opportunity to pursue secondary projects based on the needs and resources available in their community. Collaboration with Agriculture Volunteers is highly encouraged, particularly in Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture. Volunteers may teach gardening skills and encourage local preparation and consumption of nutrition-rich vegetables not commonly eaten in the community. Collaboration with Education Volunteers is encouraged, as school garden projects, youth groups, and classes are great venues for outreach on a variety of public health topics.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in the health sector and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
