Cambodia, Nepal, and Bhutan aim to eliminate malaria by 2025–2030 but face challenges like isolated outbreaks and imported cases. A 2022 outbreak in Cambodia, likely linked to forest workers, was quickly contained with support from village malaria workers and health centers. Nepal and Bhutan also reported outbreaks, often traced to migrant workers from India. Strengthening … [Read more...] about Malaria elimination challenges in countries approaching the last mile: a discussion among regional stakeholders
Asia
Mental Health Literacy Among Female Community Health Workers: A Multi-setting Cross-sectional Study
This study examined mental health knowledge among 454 female community health workers in Indonesia. Many had misconceptions about mental illness, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment. For example, most believed stress and personal weakness cause mental illness, while fewer recognized hereditary factors. Many thought medication alone could fully cure mental disorders … [Read more...] about Mental Health Literacy Among Female Community Health Workers: A Multi-setting Cross-sectional Study
A Community-Driven Approach to Rural Healthcare: Lessons from the CHE Model
This case study looks at how India’s rural areas face healthcare challenges due to a lack of qualified professionals and changing health needs. It highlights the Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) model, developed by the Healing Fields Foundation, where rural women are trained to provide preventive care, collect health data, and offer telehealth support. CHEs play a key role … [Read more...] about A Community-Driven Approach to Rural Healthcare: Lessons from the CHE Model
A Novel Cascaded Approach for Classification of Tuberculosis Using Cough Audio in Real-Time Environment
This study explores using artificial intelligence to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) by analyzing cough sounds. The researchers developed a system that first distinguishes between coughs and background noise, then classifies the cough as either TB-related or not. They collected cough recordings from patients at a hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, and tested the system using various … [Read more...] about A Novel Cascaded Approach for Classification of Tuberculosis Using Cough Audio in Real-Time Environment
Effectiveness of prenatal intervention on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia management in rural Bangladesh: Results from a cluster-randomized trial
A study in Bangladesh found that educating pregnant women at home about newborn jaundice, led by community health workers, significantly improved their knowledge and attitudes. After the intervention, awareness of jaundice signs and management rose from 33% to 71%. Mothers who gained more knowledge were five times more likely to have a positive attitude toward managing … [Read more...] about Effectiveness of prenatal intervention on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia management in rural Bangladesh: Results from a cluster-randomized trial