This short commentary discusses the Lady Health Worker (LHW) program in Pakistan. LHWs serve as an important link between community and health facilities, providing both preventative and curative care. However, additional improvements are suggested that could further facilitate a thriving program. These include: incentives for LHWs (improving salaries, timely contract renewals … [Read more...] about The lady health worker program in Pakistan- a commentary
Program Evaluation
Are vaccination programmes delivered by lay health workers cost-effective? A systematic review
This is a systematic review of the costs and cost-effectiveness of using community health workers in vaccination programmes. The review only identified three studies that met their inclusion criteria. Methodologically, the studies were strong but did not adequately address affordability and sustainability and were also highly heterogeneous in terms of settings and CHW outcomes, … [Read more...] about Are vaccination programmes delivered by lay health workers cost-effective? A systematic review
Moving Towards Best Practice: Documenting and Learning from Existing Community Health/Care Worker Programmes
This study sought to identify best practices in deployment of community health and care workers (CHWs and CCWs). Studies conducted in each of South Africa’s 9 provinces assessed the extent to which CHW deployment has addressed important health priorities; documented success stories and lessons; and developed an understanding of the range of ways that CHW programs have evolved … [Read more...] about Moving Towards Best Practice: Documenting and Learning from Existing Community Health/Care Worker Programmes
The role of community health workers in improving child health programmes in Mali
This article reports on a study assessing the performance of CHWs in the promotion of basic child health services in rural Mali. The study was conducted as a community based cross-sectional survey. Data were collected from 401 child caregivers and 72 CHWs. Analysis showed a positive influence of CHWs on family health practices. The authors conclude that providing continuous … [Read more...] about The role of community health workers in improving child health programmes in Mali
Afghanistan- Innovations in Family Planning, The Accelerating Contraceptive Use Project
This case study details the “Accelerating Contraceptive Use Project” managed by MSH in Afghanistan between 2004 and 2006. Through the project, four Afghan NGOs, MSH and the Ministry of Public Health worked with CHWs to promote various contraceptive methods for birth spacing. Three components helped the project achieve success at both the community and policy levels: … [Read more...] about Afghanistan- Innovations in Family Planning, The Accelerating Contraceptive Use Project