This study examined how Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Rwanda used blood pressure monitors and a mobile app to screen people for high blood pressure. Between 2023 and 2024, CHWs screened nearly 500,000 people, and about 63,000 were found to have high blood pressure and referred to health facilities. However, only 7.2% of those referred completed the referral, and nearly … [Read more...] about Driving NCD screening at scale: outcomes of a digital, CHW-led hypertension surveillance program in rural Rwanda
Surveillance
Implementing active surveillance for tuberculosis: A quality improvement project
This study looked at how well community health workers (CHWs) in South Africa were doing TB screening in their communities. At first, there were no records showing they had done any screenings. After some improvements, more people were screened, but recordkeeping remained poor. The team also tried using mobile technology, but it didn’t work out. Although the CHWs were willing … [Read more...] about Implementing active surveillance for tuberculosis: A quality improvement project
Community Health Agents and Agents to Combat Endemic Diseases’ performance in arboviruses prevention and control: analysis of articulation and integrated work
This study examined how community health agents (ACS) and agents combating endemic diseases (ACE) work together to prevent and control diseases like dengue. It found their efforts were poorly coordinated, with unclear roles and limited collaboration. ACE focused on chemical vector control, while ACS lacked involvement in active disease surveillance. Weak community engagement … [Read more...] about Community Health Agents and Agents to Combat Endemic Diseases’ performance in arboviruses prevention and control: analysis of articulation and integrated work
How community-based health workers fulfil their roles in epidemic disease surveillance: a case study from Burkina Faso
In 2016, Burkina Faso introduced a community health worker (CHW) model for disease surveillance, assigning two CHWs per village. A study in Dandé Health District found that CHWs face challenges like poor training, lack of tools, and no financial support. Despite this, community recognition motivates them. Financial incentives and non-financial rewards like status are crucial to … [Read more...] about How community-based health workers fulfil their roles in epidemic disease surveillance: a case study from Burkina Faso
Feasibility and challenges in sustaining a community based surveillance system in post-Ebola Sierra Leone
Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) systems help detect and report diseases early in outbreak-prone areas. After the Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone trained community health workers (CHWs) to monitor 11 key health conditions. A 2019 study found that CBS matched disease reports from health facilities in functional areas, improving early detection. However, challenges like funding … [Read more...] about Feasibility and challenges in sustaining a community based surveillance system in post-Ebola Sierra Leone