Many pregnant women in Nigeria prefer traditional birth attendants (TBAs) for childbirth due to trust, cultural beliefs, and religious practices. However, TBAs often delay referring women to health centers, risking complications. Challenges include community preference for TBAs, inadequate infrastructure, staff shortages, and weak enforcement of good practices at health … [Read more...] about Demand and supply side factors that drive delayed referrals from traditional birth attendants to public primary healthcare facilities: Insights from three states in Nigeria
Africa
Understanding Integrated Community Case Management Institutionalization Processes Within National Health Systems in Malawi, Mali, and Rwanda: A Qualitative Study
This study explored how Community Case Management (iCCM) for childhood illnesses is being integrated into national health systems in Malawi, Mali, and Rwanda. Through interviews with key informants, the study identified a process of institutionalizing iCCM in phases, from awareness to maturity. Four main factors—core values, leadership, resources, and policy—were found to drive … [Read more...] about Understanding Integrated Community Case Management Institutionalization Processes Within National Health Systems in Malawi, Mali, and Rwanda: A Qualitative Study
Improving Access to PMTCT Through the Involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants in Program Activities in the Far North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Cohort Study
In the Lake Chad basin, most deliveries are assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs). This study looked at whether training and involving TBAs in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) could improve access to these services. Researchers compared communities with trained TBAs to those without. Mothers in communities with trained TBAs were more likely to get … [Read more...] about Improving Access to PMTCT Through the Involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants in Program Activities in the Far North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Feasibility and acceptability of a digital tool to support community-based screening for COVID-19 and other priority medical conditions across rural and peri-urban communities in Guinea
In Guinea, community health workers used a digital tool and rapid diagnostic tests to bring essential health screenings to rural and peri-urban communities. They tested over 5,200 people for conditions like malaria, COVID-19, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, with many cases being diagnosed for the first time. The digital tool successfully recorded test results in … [Read more...] about Feasibility and acceptability of a digital tool to support community-based screening for COVID-19 and other priority medical conditions across rural and peri-urban communities in Guinea
The Impact of Integrated Community-Based Management of Respiratory Infections in Reducing Child Mortality
Pneumonia is a leading cause of child deaths, especially in low-income countries with limited healthcare access. This study reviewed research on community-based interventions for managing respiratory diseases in children under five. Results showed that involving community health workers in early diagnosis, prevention, and raising public awareness reduced child deaths by 30%. … [Read more...] about The Impact of Integrated Community-Based Management of Respiratory Infections in Reducing Child Mortality