A quarter of the world's neonatal deaths and 15% of maternal deaths happen in India. Few community-based strategies to improve maternal and newborn health have been tested through the country's government-approved Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). This study aimed to test the effect of participatory women's groups facilitated by ASHAs on birth outcomes, including … [Read more...] about Effect on participatory women’s groups facilitated by Accredited Social Health Activists on birth outcomes in rural eastern India: a cluster-randomized controlled trial
India
Can coaching health workers improve the performance of health systems?
Noting the irregularities surrounding health worker training and supervision methods across different states in India, the Earth Institute and Columbia Global Center partnered with the Sri Venkata Sai Medical College and the government of Mahbubnagar District in Andhra Pradesh to pilot a model for 'on-site coaching' as an alternative approach … [Read more...] about Can coaching health workers improve the performance of health systems?
Community health workers in rural India, analyzing the opportunities and challenges Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) face in realising their multiple roles
Globally, there is increasing interest in community health worker’s (CHW) performance; however, there are gaps in the evidence with respect to CHWs’ role in community participation and empowerment. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), whose roles include social activism, are the key cadre in India’s CHW programme which is designed to improve maternal and child … [Read more...] about Community health workers in rural India, analyzing the opportunities and challenges Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) face in realising their multiple roles
Identifying common impairments in frail and dependent older people: validation of the COPE assessment for non-specialised health workers in low resource primary health care settings
Among older people, impairments in mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, cognition, mood, and behaviour make an important contribution to years lived with disability, and dependence, and mortality. A recent systematic review concluded that, in primary care and community settings, interventions targeting risk factors and functional impairments may be more effective than … [Read more...] about Identifying common impairments in frail and dependent older people: validation of the COPE assessment for non-specialised health workers in low resource primary health care settings
The effect of payment and incentives on motivation and focus of community health workers: five case studies from low- and middle- income countries
Community health workers (CHWs) have been proposed as a means for bridging gaps in healthcare delivery in rural communities. Recent CHW programmes have been shown to improve child and neonatal health outcomes, and it is increasingly being suggested that paid CHWs become an integral part of health systems. Remuneration of CHWs can potentially effect their motivation and focus. … [Read more...] about The effect of payment and incentives on motivation and focus of community health workers: five case studies from low- and middle- income countries