The provision of HIV treatment and care in sub-Saharan Africa faces multiple challenges, including weak health systems and attrition of trained health workers. One potential response to overcome these challenges has been to engage community health workers (CHWs). A systematic literature search for quantitative and qualitative studies describing the role and outcomes of CHWs in … [Read more...] about Role and outcomes of community health workers in HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Human Resources Management/Workforce Development
Learning from the Brazilian community health worker model in North Wales.
Health policymakers in many countries are looking at ways of increasing health care coverage by scaling up the deployment of community health workers. Traditionally this has been seen as an option for low and middle income countries with inadequate numbers of trained health professionals. In this commentary, we describe the rationale for the UK to learn from Brazil's scaled-up … [Read more...] about Learning from the Brazilian community health worker model in North Wales.
The Tanzania Connect Project: a cluster-randomized trial of the child survival impact of adding paid community health workers to an existing facility-focused health system
Tanzania has been a pioneer in establishing community-level services, yet challenges remain in sustaining these systems and ensuring adequate human resource strategies. In particular, the added value of a cadre of professional community health workers is under debate. While Tanzania has the highest density of primary health care facilities in Africa, equitable access and … [Read more...] about The Tanzania Connect Project: a cluster-randomized trial of the child survival impact of adding paid community health workers to an existing facility-focused health system
It’s about time: WHO and partners release programming strategies for postpartum family planning
The postpartum period is a critical time to address high unmet family planning need and to reduce the risks of closely spaced pregnancies. Practical tools are included in the new resource for integrating postpartum family planning at points when women have frequent health system contact, including antenatal care, labor and delivery, postnatal care, immunization, … [Read more...] about It’s about time: WHO and partners release programming strategies for postpartum family planning
Keeping community health workers in Uganda motivated: key challenges, facilitators, and preferred program inputs
In the face of global health worker shortages, community health workers (CHWs) are an important health care delivery strategy for underserved populations. In Uganda, community-based programs often use volunteer CHWs to extend services, including family planning, in rural areas. This study examined factors related to CHW motivation and level of activity in 3 family planning … [Read more...] about Keeping community health workers in Uganda motivated: key challenges, facilitators, and preferred program inputs