Community health worker (CHW) programmes are currently being scaled-up in sub-Saharan Africa to improve access to healthcare. CHWs are often volunteers; from an economic perspective, this raises considerations whether reliance on an unpaid workforce is sustainable and how to appropriately cost and value the work of CHWs. Both these questions can be informed by an understanding … [Read more...] about Valuing the work of unpaid community health workers and exploring the incentives to volunteering in rural Africa
Research
Engaging community health workers in maternal and newborn care in eastern Uganda
Community health workers (CHWs) have been employed in a number of low- and middle-income countries as part of primary health care strategies, but the packages vary across and even within countries. The experiences and motivations of a multipurpose CHW in providing maternal and newborn health have not been well described. This study examined the perceptions of community members … [Read more...] about Engaging community health workers in maternal and newborn care in eastern Uganda
How does context influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? Evidence from the literature
Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as an integral component of the health workforce needed to achieve public health goals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many factors intersect to influence CHW performance. However, research seldom focuses on the implications of context for CHW or programme performance. Understanding the socio-cultural, … [Read more...] about How does context influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? Evidence from the literature
Effect of self-collection of HPV DNA offered by community health workers at home visits on uptake of screening for cervical cancer (the EMA study): a population-based cluster-randomized trial
Control of cervical cancer in developing countries has been hampered by a failure to achieve high screening uptake. In Argentina, more than 60% of women with low education have not had a Papanicolaou (Pap) test in the past 2 years. HPV DNA self-collection could increase screening coverage, but implementation of this technology is difficult in countries of middle and low income. … [Read more...] about Effect of self-collection of HPV DNA offered by community health workers at home visits on uptake of screening for cervical cancer (the EMA study): a population-based cluster-randomized trial
Hypertension education and adherence in South Africa: a cost-effectiveness analysis of community health workers
Of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs), hypertension is a major burden in general and in particular in South Africa with trends showing a growth of 20% for both men and women over the past decade. Of further significance is that adherence to hypertension medication varies significantly from under 10% in the lowest socio-economic status (SES) quintile compared to 80% in the … [Read more...] about Hypertension education and adherence in South Africa: a cost-effectiveness analysis of community health workers