Village Health Workers (VHWs) in Bhutan provide cost-fee healthcare support that has enabled the country to achieve 95% immunization coverage and nearly eliminate several diseases, including malaria and neonatal tetanus. Sacha Hauc and colleagues evaluated the impacts of VHWs on health-related cost savings and hospital admission rates. Addition of a single VHW to a local health … [Read more...] about Evaluating the effect of village health workers on hospital admission rates and their economic impact in the Kingdom of Bhutan
CHW Role
The Role of Community Health Workers Within the Continuum of Services for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Other STIs Amongst Men Who Have Sex with Men in Europe
CHW programs demonstrate strong potential for preventing and managing HIV in European countries, but limited research describes the connection between CHWs and HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) due to varying usage of the term “CHW” and sparse documentation of their role. Nicolas Lorente and colleagues assessed CHW knowledge, attitudes, and practices in 28 … [Read more...] about The Role of Community Health Workers Within the Continuum of Services for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Other STIs Amongst Men Who Have Sex with Men in Europe
A qualitative study of social connectedness and its relationship to community health programs in rural Chiapas, Mexico
Having social connections acts as a buffer against poor health and well-being. CHWs provide communities with an opportunity to strengthen social connectedness by living and working in the same locality. Rachel Deitz surveyed three towns in Chiapas, Mexico to understand local perspectives on the social benefits of a CHW-enhanced community clinic. Results of interviews indicated … [Read more...] about A qualitative study of social connectedness and its relationship to community health programs in rural Chiapas, Mexico
Enabling and hindering factors of health surveillance assistants’ roles in the provision of contraceptive services in Mangochi, Malawi
Provision of family planning and contraceptive services represents an essential component for reducing maternal, infant, and child mortality. In recognition of the value of contraception, the Government of Malawi strengthened Health Surveillance Assistants' (HSAs) capacity to distribute and educate the public about contraceptive services. Maryse Kok conducted interviews with … [Read more...] about Enabling and hindering factors of health surveillance assistants’ roles in the provision of contraceptive services in Mangochi, Malawi
Community gatekeepers and the conundrum of confidentiality and coercion
This commentary responds to an article by Sunu Thomas (2020) describing concerns about the role of confidentiality when a research participant discloses sensitive personal information while a CHW is present. The author describes concerns about whether CHWs should bridge the gap between communities and researchers and whether their presence during data collection represents a … [Read more...] about Community gatekeepers and the conundrum of confidentiality and coercion