South Africa has a high tuberculosis (TB)-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection rate of 73%, yet only 46% of TB patients are tested for HIV. To date, relatively little work has focused on understanding why TB patients may not accept effective services or participate in programs that are readily available in healthcare delivery systems. The objective of the study was to … [Read more...] about Patient- and delivery-level factors related to acceptance of HIV counseling and testing services among tuberculosis patients in South Africa: a qualitative study with community health workers and program managers.
South Africa
The Impact of Paraprofessional versus Volunteer-Driven Home Visiting Programs on the Wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Evidence from a Longitudinal Evaluation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
This brief describes the findings and program implications from a study designed to develop critical knowledge on “what works” to improve the well-being of children affected by HIV and AIDS. Community-based home visiting, in which care workers provide a range of support services during regular visits to the child’s home, is an increasingly popular service delivery … [Read more...] about The Impact of Paraprofessional versus Volunteer-Driven Home Visiting Programs on the Wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Evidence from a Longitudinal Evaluation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Improving Breast Cancer Control via the Use of Community Health Workers in South Africa: A Critical Review
Breast cancer is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMCs). We explore community health worker (CHW) programs and describe their potential use in LMCs. We use South Africa as an example of how CHWs could improve access to breast health care because of its middle-income status, existing cancer centers, and history of CHW programs. CHWs could assume three main … [Read more...] about Improving Breast Cancer Control via the Use of Community Health Workers in South Africa: A Critical Review
Developing lay health worker policy in South Africa: a qualitative study
Over the past half decade South Africa has been developing, implementing and redeveloping its Lay Health Worker (LHW) policies. Research during this period has highlighted challenges with LHW programme implementation. These challenges have included an increased burden of care for female LHWs. The aim of this study was to explore contemporary LHW policy development processes and … [Read more...] about Developing lay health worker policy in South Africa: a qualitative study
The Retention of Community Service Officers at District Hospitals in KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces
Note: “Community Service Officer” in this context means health professionals including doctors, pharmacists and dentists, deployed by the government to do community service. This study aims to assess retention determinants for health professionals to continue giving service in the district hospital after the one year community service programme. According to the study, the … [Read more...] about The Retention of Community Service Officers at District Hospitals in KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces