This study developed and tested a simple screening tool called MERIT to help community health workers in India identify common mental health problems. The tool covers issues like substance use, anxiety, depression, severe mental illness, and suicide risk, and can be used quickly by asking one person in a household. Results showed that the tool is reliable and accurate in most … [Read more...] about Psychometric properties of MERIT: A concise tool for community health workers to screen priority mental disorders
Asia
Hidden in plain sight: Sexual violence against community health workers in India
This study highlights the safety challenges faced by female community health workers known as ASHAs in India. Many of them work in difficult conditions and are exposed to different forms of violence due to night work, financial insecurity, and unequal power relations in their communities. The paper explains that these risks are linked to their weak position within the health … [Read more...] about Hidden in plain sight: Sexual violence against community health workers in India
Community Health Workers’ Perspective on Family Functioning Among Sri Lankan Refugees
This study explored how community health workers view family challenges among Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in India. Through group discussions with 18 community health workers, researchers found that migration stress affects parenting, family relationships, and overall well-being. Community health workers help families manage these challenges by offering support, connecting … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers’ Perspective on Family Functioning Among Sri Lankan Refugees
Evaluating the performance of community health care providers in detecting fast breathing in children using a reference video expert panel in Bangladesh
This study examined whether community health workers in Bangladesh can accurately count a child’s breathing rate to help diagnose pneumonia. They assessed 123 children with suspected pneumonia and compared the breathing counts recorded by community health workers with those reviewed by doctors using video recordings. The results showed that the community health workers measured … [Read more...] about Evaluating the performance of community health care providers in detecting fast breathing in children using a reference video expert panel in Bangladesh
Introducing EHSAS- a tool for rapid community-based screening in low resource rural settings to assess eligibility for CGA
This study developed and tested a simple screening tool to help community health workers identify common health problems among older adults in rural India. The tool includes 11 questions that help detect issues early and guide referrals for further care. Testing showed that the tool is reliable, easy to use, and acceptable for both health workers and older adults. The results … [Read more...] about Introducing EHSAS- a tool for rapid community-based screening in low resource rural settings to assess eligibility for CGA