In Malawi, where the majority of the population resides in rural areas, community health workers (CHWs) are the first, and often only, providers of health services. A pilot project, implemented in 2 rural districts of Malawi between 2010 and 2011, introduced a mobile phone system to strengthen knowledge exchange within networks of CHWs and district staff. To evaluate the … [Read more...] about Taking knowledge for health the extra mile: participatory evaluation of a mobile phone intervention for community health workers in Malawi
Research
Cell phones and CHWs: a transformational marriage?
Community health workers (CHWs) have a key role to play if we are to achieve our ambitious goals to reduce child and maternal mortality globally. A wide diversity of CHW cadres have been established in many countries, both in the public sector and with nongovernmental organizations, yet several major challenges have emerged. Mobile phones can be transformative for community … [Read more...] about Cell phones and CHWs: a transformational marriage?
Home visits by community health workers to prevent neonatal deaths in developing countries: a systematic review
The last three decades have witnessed a significant fall in mortality rates among children under 5 years of age in developing countries, whereas neonatal mortality rates have decreased at a slower pace. This study aims to determine whether home visits for neonatal care by community health workers can reduce infant and neonatal deaths and stillbirths in resource-limited … [Read more...] about Home visits by community health workers to prevent neonatal deaths in developing countries: a systematic review
Protocol for the Northern Manhattan Diabetes Community Outreach Project. A randomised trial of a community health worker intervention to improve diabetes care in Hispanic adults
Hispanics in the USA are affected by the diabetes epidemic disproportionately, and they consistently have lower access to care, poorer control of the disease and higher risk of complications. This study evaluates whether a community health worker (CHW) intervention may improve clinically relevant markers of diabetes care in adult underserved Hispanics. The Northern … [Read more...] about Protocol for the Northern Manhattan Diabetes Community Outreach Project. A randomised trial of a community health worker intervention to improve diabetes care in Hispanic adults
Working with Community Health Workers as ‘volunteers’ in a vaccine trial: Practical and ethical experiences and implications
Community engagement is increasingly emphasized in biomedical research, as a right in itself, and to strengthen ethical practice. We draw on interviews and observations to consider the practical and ethical implications of involving Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of a community engagement strategy for a vaccine trial on the Kenyan Coast. CHWs were initially engaged as … [Read more...] about Working with Community Health Workers as ‘volunteers’ in a vaccine trial: Practical and ethical experiences and implications