Asia

Engage less, provide more: Community health workers’ perspectives on how to overcome opposition to polio vaccination in Pakistan

In Pakistan’s highest-risk areas for polio, vaccine refusal is common due to frequent visits, fear of surveillance, and unmet basic needs. This study gathered insights from frontline polio workers on improving community engagement. Many households felt ignored by government services and refused vaccines to highlight other urgent needs. Polio workers suggested reducing visits … [Read more...] about Engage less, provide more: Community health workers’ perspectives on how to overcome opposition to polio vaccination in Pakistan

Community health workers (CHWs) in the Philippines help connect maternal and child health needs with the broader health system. Through interviews with 64 CHWs, this study found that they fill service gaps, guide families through the health system, and address social challenges. Their work strengthens collaboration between NGOs and the public sector, improving healthcare access … [Read more...] about “I am the bridge”: Examining intersectoral collaboration among community health workers to address maternal and child health in the Philippines

Community health workers (CHWs) in China face challenges in delivering cancer health education, including low participation, poor organization, infrequent sessions, and insufficient training. To improve education, they suggest combining online and in-person sessions, offering education after screenings, integrating cancer with other health topics, workplace programs, and … [Read more...] about What are the problems and suggestions related to cancer health education in Sichuan, China? A qualitative study of community health workers (CHWs)

A digital mental health tool, Technology-Assisted Problem Management Plus (TA-PM+), was developed to help lady health workers (LHWs) in Pakistan support women with common mental health disorders. The process involved reviewing evidence, consulting stakeholders, and testing usability in both lab and community settings. Challenges included low digital skills, high workloads, and … [Read more...] about A Digital Tool (Technology-Assisted Problem Management Plus) for Lay Health Workers to Address Common Mental Health Disorders: Co-production and Usability Study in Pakistan

As malaria cases decline in the Greater Mekong Subregion, community health workers (CHWs) have become less active. To address this, a new CHW model with expanded roles was tested in Myanmar. The study, conducted in 72 villages, found that the expanded model increased malaria testing by 23% and referrals for other illnesses like dengue and tuberculosis by over three times. … [Read more...] about Effectiveness of an expanded role for community health workers on malaria blood examination rates in malaria elimination settings in Myanmar: an open stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial