Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Enhancing Efficiency and User Experience of Digital Community Health Worker Payments in Zanzibar: Implementation Report

This report describes how the Jamii ni Afya project in Zanzibar improved its digital payment system for community health workers by involving them in the design process. The new system made payments more accurate, efficient, and easier to understand. Health workers felt more informed and in control, and staff found it easier to manage payments. The changes are expected to … [Read more...] about Enhancing Efficiency and User Experience of Digital Community Health Worker Payments in Zanzibar: Implementation Report

This study looked at how community health workers (CHWs) in sub-Saharan Africa can better provide people-centered care. By reviewing research from 2014 to 2024, the study found that trust, motivation, and good leadership are key to CHW success. It also highlighted that CHWs work best when they are part of formal health systems, connected to community efforts, and supported by … [Read more...] about Optimizing the role and functions of CHWs in service of a people-centred community health system in sub-Saharan Africa. A realist synthesis

In 2020, a mental health training program called mhGAP was introduced in Somalia to help frontline health workers better support their communities. The eight-day training improved the workers’ knowledge and skills in dealing with mental health, neurological, and substance use issues. Test scores showed clear improvement after the training, and participants felt more prepared to … [Read more...] about Training of front-line health workers in Somalia on mental health: A mixed-methods effectiveness study on the implementation of mental health gap action programme (mhGAP)

South Africa’s government is improving primary health care through a new plan supported by National Health Insurance (NHI), with Community Health Workers (CHWs) playing a key role. This article shares the views of 31 CHWs from an NHI pilot district and gives suggestions to improve the program. These include having clear team leaders, providing regular training, keeping records … [Read more...] about Moving Towards a South African NHI System of Excellence: Recommendations Based on the Insider Perspectives of CHWs as Key Role-Players

This study looked at what affects how quickly children under five in Uganda receive malaria treatment. Using data from over 4,000 children, it found that 41% of them got treatment later than the recommended 24 hours after symptoms started. Children received treatment faster when both parents made health decisions together, when care was sought from community health workers … [Read more...] about Timeliness of malaria treatment in children under five years in Uganda: an analysis of 2016 demographic health survey data