The role of health volunteers in promoting people´s knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 in Iran: strategies and challenges

Abstract

Occurring several COVID-19 outbreak waves during more than one year ago suggest that the implementation of vertical and concentrated programs can only play a temporary role on controlling the disease. The missing ring is creating prevention culture among the people to establish consistent behavior to completely eradicate the disease. In this regard, one of the effective ways to convey the messages to the majority of people and promote knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 is utilization of health volunteers as peer groups. Valuable steps can be taken to control COVID-19 and prevent its new waves in case of proper planning and training of volunteer forces. This letter assesses the importance, challenges and strategies utilizing health volunteers to cope with COVID-19 pandemic.