The Lady Health Worker (LHW) Programme was initiated by the Pakistani Ministry of Health in the early 1990s to integrate family planning into doorstep provision of primary health care. This paper presents findings from the first national evaluation of the Programme. The data provides strong evidence that the Programme succeeded in increasing modern contraceptive use among rural … [Read more...] about Increasing contraceptive use in rural Pakistan: an evaluation of the Lady Health Worker Programme
Case studies
Health Workforce “Innovative Approaches and Promising Practices” Study: Providing Doorstep Services to Underserved Rural Populations: Community Health Officers in Ghana
Through its Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative, Ghana has deployed over 300 auxiliary nurses in 53 of the country’s deprived districts. These nurses, who receive two years of training and the title Community Health Officer (CHO), are part of an innovative approach that shifts staff from low-impact static health centers with limited outreach to … [Read more...] about Health Workforce “Innovative Approaches and Promising Practices” Study: Providing Doorstep Services to Underserved Rural Populations: Community Health Officers in Ghana
Malaria Rapid Testing by Community Health Workers is Effective and Safe for Targeting Malaria Treatment: Randomised Cross-Over Trial in Tanzania
This study assessed the impacts of use of rapid malaria diagnostic tests (RDTs) by CHWs on the provision of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and health outcome in fever patients in Tanzania. The authors found that RDTs administered by CHWs may improve early and well-targeted ACT treatment in malaria patients at community level. However, the effect and impact of RDT, … [Read more...] about Malaria Rapid Testing by Community Health Workers is Effective and Safe for Targeting Malaria Treatment: Randomised Cross-Over Trial in Tanzania
Community-directed interventions for major health problems in Africa
In 2005, a three-year multi-country study was launched to examine how the Community Directed Intervention (CDI) approach, which had been remarkably successful in distributing ivermectin for treatment of onchocerciasis, could be used alongside ivermectin for integrated delivery (or co-implementation) of four other health interventions: Vitamin A supplementation, distribution of … [Read more...] about Community-directed interventions for major health problems in Africa
Factors Affecting Recruitment and Retention of Community Health Workers in a Newborn Care Intervention in Bangladesh
This study investigates reasons for high rates of CHW attrition in Sylhet District in northeastern Bangladesh. The framework presented in this paper illustrates the decision-making process women go through when deciding to become, or continue as, a CHW. Factors such as job satisfaction, community valuation of CHW work, and fulfillment of pre-hire expectations all need to be … [Read more...] about Factors Affecting Recruitment and Retention of Community Health Workers in a Newborn Care Intervention in Bangladesh