CHW Central

A global resource for and about Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers/Volunteers

Measuring motivation among close-to-community health workers: developing the CTC Provider Motivational Indicator Scale across six countries

Close-to-community health service (CTC) providers serve as critical support in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to formalized health care providers. However, motivational challenges cause CTC providers to suffer high rates of turnover. Frederique Vallieres conducted interviews and discussions with CTC providers across six countries to develop a survey … [Read more...] about Measuring motivation among close-to-community health workers: developing the CTC Provider Motivational Indicator Scale across six countries

COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems

The health workforce in general and CHWs in particular played an instrumental role in curbing the effects of the 2014-2016 Ebola virus outbreak. Lyudmila Neponmnyashchiy and her colleagues provide a brief comparison between the Ebola virus outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for sub-Saharan African governments to invest in CHW workforce strengthening and … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems

Protecting community health workers: PPE needs and recommendations for policy action

Demands for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic strained global supply chains, often leaving low- and middle-income countries without a means to protect their health workers. CHWs are no exception. This article provides an overview of PPE required to protect CHWs during a pandemic and makes recommendations for improving supply chain access. … [Read more...] about Protecting community health workers: PPE needs and recommendations for policy action

Community Health Workers as Influential Health System Actors and not “Just Another Pair Of Hands”

CHWs across the world have mixed status, with some feeling appreciated as important contributors to their community and others feeling used and undervalued by more advanced health professionals. Sumit Kane and his colleagues surveyed CHWs in India to better understand their lived experiences. Many CHWs described initially feeling as if they were a powerless tool, but these … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers as Influential Health System Actors and not “Just Another Pair Of Hands”