Sub-Saharan Africa faces a severe health worker shortage, which community health workers (CHWs) may fill. Task shifting - the reassignment of clinical roles by transferring suitable tasks from higher- to lower-skilled healthcare workers (HCWs) - is one of the strategies proposed to mitigate the effects of the HCW shortage. Community health workers (CHWs) are a unique cadre of … [Read more...] about Time savings – realized and potential – and fair compensation for community health workers in Kenyan health facilities: a mixed-methods approach
Recognition/remuneration
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health workers: evidence from a literature review
In recent years, community health workers (CHWs) have received renewed attention in light of critical shortages in the health workforce and emphasis on strengthening primary healthcare systems for achieving global health goals. CHWs are generally assumed to be a less expensive alternative compared with other cadres of health workers, notably with regard to salary and incentives … [Read more...] about Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health workers: evidence from a literature review
Factors influencing the career choice and retention of community mental health workers in Ghana
Whilst there have been several studies exploring retention in health workers, little is known about health workers engaged in the provision of mental health services and the factors that affect their recruitment and retention. The objective of this research was to examine the views of stakeholders about the factors which influence career choices and retention of community … [Read more...] about Factors influencing the career choice and retention of community mental health workers in Ghana
Backpacks That Save Lives? You Bet!
Summer is winding down. Store shelves are stocked with notebooks and pencils instead of sunscreen and beach balls. And for most kids, the essential back-to-school purchase is the almighty backpack. If you're going to carry books and lunch to school, you'd better have something durable -- and fashionable! -- strapped on your shoulders. You may be surprised to learn that a … [Read more...] about Backpacks That Save Lives? You Bet!
What do community health workers have to say about their work, and how can this inform improved programme design? A case study with CHWs within Kenya
Community health workers (CHWs) are used increasingly in the world to address shortages of health workers and the lack of a pervasive national health system. However, while their role is often described at a policy level, it is not clear how these ideals are instantiated in practice, how best to support this work, or how the work is interpreted by local actors. CHWs are often … [Read more...] about What do community health workers have to say about their work, and how can this inform improved programme design? A case study with CHWs within Kenya