Engagement of health workers and peer educators from the National Adolescent Health Programme-Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a situational analysis

Abstract BackgroundTo understand the impact of COVID-19 on implementation of the peer education programme of the National Adolescent Health Programme-Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram; repurposing of the RKSK health workers and Peer Educators (PE) in COVID-19 response activities and; adolescents′ health and development issues. MethodsVirtual in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders (n=31) (aged 15 to 54) engaged in the implementation of the peer education programme at state, district, block, and village levels in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra (India). These interviews were thematically coded and analysed to address the research objectives. ResultsDespite most peer education programme activities being stopped, delayed, or disrupted during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, some communication networks previously established, helped facilitate public health communication regarding COVID-19 and RKSK, between health workers, peer educators, and adolescents. There was significant repurposing of RKSK health workers and Peer Educators’ role towards COVID-19 response-related activities. Peer educators, with support from health workers, were involved in disseminating COVID-19 information, maintaining migrant and quarantine records, conducting household surveys for finding COVID-19 active cases and providing essential items (grocery, sanitary napkins, etc.) to communities and adolescents. ConclusionPeer Educators with support from community health workers are able to play a crucial role in meeting the needs of the communities during a pandemic. There is a need to further engage, involve and build the skills of Peer Educators to support the health system. PEs can be encouraged by granting more visibility and incorporating their role more formally by paying them within the public health system in India.