Neonatal deaths remain a major concern in South Africa, with nearly half linked to prematurity. The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program supports very low birth weight (VLBW) babies through community health worker visits. This study examined VLBW infants discharged from a regional hospital, their follow-up care, health outcomes, and caregiver experiences. Among 169 … [Read more...] about Community-based follow-up of very low birth weight neonates discharged from a regional hospital in Cape Town: a descriptive study
Child health
Assessing the value-added contributions of community health workers and communities to early child development: a longitudinal study in a low-income setting
Early child development programs delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in low-resource settings can be effective, but scaling them presents challenges. This study analyzed data from a home-visiting trial in rural Madagascar to assess the impact of CHWs and communities on child development. Results showed that CHWs and community factors influenced children's developmental … [Read more...] about Assessing the value-added contributions of community health workers and communities to early child development: a longitudinal study in a low-income setting
Co-producing a health advocate intervention for pediatric liver transplant recipients using human-centered design
Pediatric liver transplant patients and their families face challenges in accessing healthcare and social services. This study used input from caregivers and transplant teams to design a navigator role to address these issues. Caregivers wanted help with accessing resources, preparing for appointments, and improving communication with schools and healthcare providers. … [Read more...] about Co-producing a health advocate intervention for pediatric liver transplant recipients using human-centered design
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community health workers’ nutrition intervention for stunting prevention in Burera District, Rwanda
Childhood stunting is a major health issue in Rwanda, and community health workers (CHWs) play a key role in preventing it. This study explored the challenges and support CHWs receive in delivering nutrition programs in Burera District. Barriers included lack of technology skills, financial struggles, and cultural beliefs, while strong government support, training, and … [Read more...] about Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community health workers’ nutrition intervention for stunting prevention in Burera District, Rwanda
Training Community Health Workers to Support Families of Children With Disabilities: Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations
This study describes a training program for community health workers in Lusaka, Zambia, to support families of children with disabilities. U.S. faculty partnered with a local organization to train supervisors, who then trained community volunteers. The training improved knowledge and skills, but attitudes toward children with disabilities showed little change. COVID-19 caused … [Read more...] about Training Community Health Workers to Support Families of Children With Disabilities: Lessons Learned and Practical Recommendations