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Objectives: The paper describes knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community health volunteers (CHVs) towards growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) of children under five years in Mwingi West Sub-county, Kenya.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where comprehensively sampled CHVs (n= 124) in the three community health units (CHUs) participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 82.7%. Three focus group discussion with CHVs randomly selected from the three CHUs were conducted. Data was collected using researcher-administered semi-structured questionnaire, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.79, and focus group discussions guide. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyse data. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to assess socio-demographic differences in the knowledge, attitudes and practices. P-value of p< 0.05 was considered significant. Content analysis was conducted for qualitative data.

Results: CHVs’ mean knowledge score was 6.31±3.077, and mean attitudes score of 9.44±2.373. Self-reported practices among the CHVs varied; 43.5% conducted growth promotion monthly, 68% and 70.2% of the participants respectively advised caregivers on appropriate feeding and healthcare services. Sociodemographic characteristics with relationship to knowledge, attitudes and practices were; age, location of CHU, education level, and duration of working. Identified challenges faced by CHVs include; lack of transport especially in the vast areas, lack of continuous trainings and incentives, and absence of GMPs’ counselling cards.

Conclusion: CHVs had positive attitudes …