This study looked at how well community health workers (CHWs) in South Africa were doing TB screening in their communities. At first, there were no records showing they had done any screenings. After some improvements, more people were screened, but recordkeeping remained poor. The team also tried using mobile technology, but it didn’t work out. Although the CHWs were willing … [Read more...] about Implementing active surveillance for tuberculosis: A quality improvement project
South Africa
Moving Towards a South African NHI System of Excellence: Recommendations Based on the Insider Perspectives of CHWs as Key Role-Players
South Africa’s government is improving primary health care through a new plan supported by National Health Insurance (NHI), with Community Health Workers (CHWs) playing a key role. This article shares the views of 31 CHWs from an NHI pilot district and gives suggestions to improve the program. These include having clear team leaders, providing regular training, keeping records … [Read more...] about Moving Towards a South African NHI System of Excellence: Recommendations Based on the Insider Perspectives of CHWs as Key Role-Players
A formative evaluation of potential barriers and facilitators to inform effective implementation of a community-based hypertension care program in rural South Africa: The IMPACT-BP trial
In rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, most people with high blood pressure are not getting it under control. To help fix this, researchers looked at how care is currently provided in clinics and what might help or get in the way of a new community-based program (IMPACT-BP). They talked with clinic staff, community health workers (CHWs), community leaders, and patients. … [Read more...] about A formative evaluation of potential barriers and facilitators to inform effective implementation of a community-based hypertension care program in rural South Africa: The IMPACT-BP trial
Enhancing tuberculosis (TB) case detection among hospitalized patients through lay health worker led screening: a before-and-after study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
This study in South Africa tested whether trained lay health workers could help find more tuberculosis (TB) cases in hospitals by doing regular screening and using better testing tools. Compared to the year before, the number of patients diagnosed with TB doubled (from 7.5% to 15%) and fewer people died in the hospital. The results show that using lay health workers for TB … [Read more...] about Enhancing tuberculosis (TB) case detection among hospitalized patients through lay health worker led screening: a before-and-after study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
A qualitative study to explore mother’s experiences of a family MUAC project in two provinces in South Africa
This study explored how mothers and caregivers felt about the Family MUAC program in South Africa, which trained them to measure their child's nutrition. Mothers appreciated the support from community health workers (CHWs), who were seen as caring and helpful. At first, measuring MUAC was challenging, but with CHW guidance, mothers became more confident. The program helped … [Read more...] about A qualitative study to explore mother’s experiences of a family MUAC project in two provinces in South Africa