This paper explores the motivation to become a community health assistant (CHA) in Zambia, the experiences of working in a rural district, and how these experiences affected CHAs’ motivation to work. To examine CHAs’ experiences, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 CHAs and observations were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Personal … [Read more...] about Hope and despair: community health assistants’ experiences of working in a rural district in Zambia.
Community Health Workers/Volunteers
Community health worker perspectives on a new primary health care initiative in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
This study sought to understand CHW perspectives on a new primary health initiative in South Africa called Re-engineering Primary Health Care (rPHC). This initiative aims to provide a preventive and health-promoting community-based PHC model. Focus group discussions and surveys on the knowledge and attitudes of 91 CHWs working on community-based rPHC teams in the King Sabata … [Read more...] about Community health worker perspectives on a new primary health care initiative in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
The Influence of Community Health Resources on Effectiveness and Sustainability of Community and Lay Health Worker Programs in Lower-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
This review explores the current evidence available to assess if increased levels of integration of community health resources in CHW programs leads to higher program effectiveness and sustainability. 32 articles were chosen for an extensive review, complemented by analysis of the results of 15 other review studies. Analysis found no quantitative data and minimal inclusion of … [Read more...] about The Influence of Community Health Resources on Effectiveness and Sustainability of Community and Lay Health Worker Programs in Lower-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
A scorecard for assessing functionality of community health unit in Kenya
Amref Health Africa in Kenya has developed a replicable Community Health Units (CHUs) Functionality Scorecard for measuring and managing the functionality of CHUs. The scorecard was designed and piloted at 114 CHUs in Rift Valley province in Kenya. The scorecard categorized CHUs as Functional, Semi-functional, or Non-Functional. Before and after data was used to assess the … [Read more...] about A scorecard for assessing functionality of community health unit in Kenya
Effect of Community Health Strategy on Focused Antenatal Care Coverage: A Pretest-Posttest Experimental Study in Rural Mwingi West Sub-County; Kenya
In Kenya, maternal and child mortality rates are still high despite government efforts aimed at improving MCH. This study’s objective was to determine the effect of a CHW led primary health care intervention, Community Health Strategy (CHS) on focused antenatal care (FANC) in Mwingi, Kenya. Researchers employed a pretest -posttest experimental study design with 1 pretest and 2 … [Read more...] about Effect of Community Health Strategy on Focused Antenatal Care Coverage: A Pretest-Posttest Experimental Study in Rural Mwingi West Sub-County; Kenya