This study explored the experiences of community health workers (CHWs) in Pader District, Northern Uganda, where many people still struggle to access healthcare after years of conflict and poverty. Through focus group discussions with 46 CHWs, malaria, maternal and child health issues, and rising chronic diseases emerged as top concerns. CHWs said their work is limited by long … [Read more...] about Exploring Local Health Knowledge and Access: Focus Group Findings from Community Health Workers in Pader District, Uganda
CHW programs
A realist perspective on optimizing community health workers’ roles and functions to deliver integrated people-centred care
This study explored how community health workers (CHWs) in rural South Africa deliver care that focuses on people’s needs. It found that trust, legitimacy, and motivation are key to helping CHWs connect with communities and coordinate services. These work best when CHWs have proper supervision, are part of the formal health system, and collaborate with other sectors. However, … [Read more...] about A realist perspective on optimizing community health workers’ roles and functions to deliver integrated people-centred care
Community Health Workers and the use of digital health: Transformations of a living work
This study looked at how digital tools, like mobile technology, are changing the work of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in primary healthcare. Interviews, focus groups, and observations showed that technology helps CHWs improve data collection, plan services, and reach more people. It also strengthens their role and recognition in the community. While technology is growing, … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers and the use of digital health: Transformations of a living work
Insights to optimizing health extension workers’ time use and efficiency in Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program (HEP), launched in 2003 to expand access to primary healthcare, faces challenges with staff inefficiency, including absenteeism and unproductive work. This study explored why health extension workers (HEWs) struggle to use their time effectively. Interviews and focus groups revealed that HEWs often spend time on non-health tasks like … [Read more...] about Insights to optimizing health extension workers’ time use and efficiency in Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Synthesising key findings from Indonesia’s first civil society-led forum on primary health care: PHC forum, Jakarta, 13-14 November 2023
The 2023 PHC Forum in Jakarta brought together 783 participants from around the world to discuss how to strengthen primary health care (PHC) and improve health equity. Key themes included investing in PHC to achieve universal health coverage, empowering communities as active partners, supporting community health workers with fair pay and conditions, increasing funding, using … [Read more...] about Synthesising key findings from Indonesia’s first civil society-led forum on primary health care: PHC forum, Jakarta, 13-14 November 2023