Jurnal Keperawatan Soedirman (The Soedirman Journal of Nursing)
Vol 21 No 2 (2026): Jurnal Keperawatan Soedirman (JKS)

Strengthening Community Health Workers’ Capacity for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control in Rural Settings: A Participatory Action Research Protocol

Muhamad Zulfatul A'la (Faculty of Nursing, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia)
Rondhianto Rondhianto (Faculty of Nursing, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia)
Ridlwan Kamaluddin (Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia)
Pairin Yodsuban (Amnatcharoen Campus, Mahidol University, Amnatcharoen, Thailand)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jul 2026

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Strengthening the capacity Community Health Workers (CHWs) is a key strategy for improving NCD prevention and control. However, its implementation remains suboptimal, particularly in rural settings. This study aims to co-design, implement, and refine a CHW capacity-building intervention for NCD prevention and control in rural settings using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach. This protocol describes a qualitative PAR study with process evaluation from August 2024 to June 2026 at Kaliwates Public Health Center (PHC), Jember, Indonesia. The completed pre-PAR phase involved 20 participants (CHWs and healthcare providers) to identify baseline needs and intervention development, while the subsequent PAR phase will involve 15 purposively selected CHWs. The post-PAR phase will explore participants' experiences, perceived benefits, feasibility, and sustainability of the co-developed intervention through observations, in-depth interviews, the Delphi method, and focus group discussions (FGDs). Data from the completed pre-PAR phase were analyzed using thematic analysis and Multiple-Perspective Interviews (MPI), supported by ATLAS.ti software, whereas data from the PAR and post-PAR phase will be analyzed upon completion. Ethical approval was obtained before the commencement of the pre-PAR phase. Preliminary findings from the pre-PAR needs assessment identified three overarching themes: systemic barriers to CHW role fulfilment; capacity gaps in training and skill development; and the need for participatory, culturally embedded training approaches. These findings provide an empirical foundation for the co-design, implementation, and evaluation of a contextually relevant CHW capacity-building intervention for NCD prevention and control in rural settings.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jks

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Nursing

Description

The Jurnal Keperawatan Soedirman (JKS) is an International peer review and open access journal which publishes scientific works on the nursing and health science field (pISSN: 1907-6673, e-ISSN: 2579-9320). This journal was established in 2006 and developed by the Department of Nursing, Faculty of ...