This action article stresses the significance of CHWs for achieving 4 pivotal goals in the effort against the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations. The authors argue for and present strategies to: “(1) PROTECT healthcare workers, (2) INTERRUPT the virus, (3) MAINTAIN existing healthcare services while surging their capacity, and (4) … [Read more...] about Prioritising the role of community health workers in the COVID-19 response
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Performance of community health workers and associated factors in a rural community in Wakiso district, Uganda
Conducted in rural Uganda, this cross-sectional qualitative study evaluated CHW performance and elements associated with performance among 201 CHWs. . Results indicated that only 19.9% of the CHWs performed well and that 90.3% of CHWs ran out of necessary medication in the 6 months before the study. Furthermore, of the 98.5% of CHWs that stressed the importance of motivation in … [Read more...] about Performance of community health workers and associated factors in a rural community in Wakiso district, Uganda
The fidelity of implementation of recommended care for children with malaria by community health workers in Nigeria
Conducted in Nigeria, this study measured the fidelity of implementation (FOI) for CHWs performing a recommended malaria treatment. The evidence found that CHW adherence was highest for following malaria treatment guidelines and lowest for post-treatment counseling. verall CHW adherence to guidelines was 83%. … [Read more...] about The fidelity of implementation of recommended care for children with malaria by community health workers in Nigeria
Implementation research on community health workers’ provision of maternal and child health services in rural Liberia
This study conducted in rural Liberia examined changes in maternal and child health after the implementation of an upgraded CHW intervention. Results indicated increased percentages of children receiving care, facility-based delivery, and formal sector care for acute respiratory infection and diarrhea. The percentage of mothers that received antenatal and postnatal care, … [Read more...] about Implementation research on community health workers’ provision of maternal and child health services in rural Liberia
Piloting a participatory, community-based health information system for strengthening community-based health services: findings of a cluster-randomized controlled trial in the slums of Freetown, Sierra Leone
This operations research study in Sierra Leone observed the impact of a participatory community-based health information system (PCBHIS) approach to community engagement. The study showed improved results on selected CHW performance indicators at intervention sites, but more limited improvements in ward development committee and health management committee capacity. … [Read more...] about Piloting a participatory, community-based health information system for strengthening community-based health services: findings of a cluster-randomized controlled trial in the slums of Freetown, Sierra Leone