How can CHWs assess a client’s readiness to change health behaviors?

• A. Use stages of change model; precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance.
• B. Use a single questionnaire about willingness to change.
• C. Assume readiness based on age.
• D. Only advocate for immediate action regardless of readiness.

Answer: (A)

Understanding a client’s readiness to change helps CHWs tailor conversations and supports. The stages of change model describes a progression: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. By assessing which stage a client is in, a CHW can choose appropriate strategies. In precontemplation, focus on raising awareness about the health issue and its risks, without pressuring. In contemplation, help the client weigh pros and cons and work through ambivalence. In preparation, assist with concrete plans, goal setting, and small steps. In action, provide encouragement, resources, and skills to support the new behavior. In maintenance, work on preventing relapse and reinforcing gains, planning for potential challenges. Because readiness to change is dynamic and varies across individuals and behaviors, using this model supports personalized, stage-appropriate interventions rather than assuming readiness or applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

A single questionnaire captures willingness at one moment but misses movement between stages and confidence; readiness isn’t determined by age, so basing actions on age is inappropriate; insisting on immediate action regardless of readiness can overwhelm and reduce engagement. In practice, CHWs assess readiness through conversations about interest, perceived difficulty, confidence, and planning, then tailor support to the client’s current stage.