Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Building Local Capacity in a Low-Resource Setting to Increase Access to Health Care: An Evaluation of Blood Pressure Monitoring Training

This study evaluated the effectiveness of training Community Health Workers (CHWs) in home-based blood pressure (BP) monitoring in Malawi. Results showed improved knowledge and skills among CHWs after training, with accurate referral decisions for patients with hypertension. Despite challenges like transportation and equipment shortages, CHWs were able to provide BP monitoring … [Read more...] about Building Local Capacity in a Low-Resource Setting to Increase Access to Health Care: An Evaluation of Blood Pressure Monitoring Training

The study investigates the role of community health workers (CHWs) trained as community health entrepreneurs (CHEs) in providing care for febrile illness and diarrhea in rural Uganda. Surveys and mapping of care providers were conducted in 15 villages. Results show that CHEs play a significant role in providing primary healthcare, but challenges remain in optimizing their … [Read more...] about Uptake of community health care provision by community health entrepreneurs for febrile illness and diarrhea: a cross-sectional survey in rural communities in Bunyangabu district, Uganda

This study investigates pre-referral treatment practices for malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia in children under 5 years old in rural Uganda. Analyzing data from 2014 to 2018, it found notable trends in gender distribution, age categories, test results, symptom prevalence, and timely medical visits among 171 children. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening … [Read more...] about Assessment of pre-referral treatment for malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia by rural community health workers in Southwestern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Despite evidence of the feasibility of implementing WHO's guidelines for managing neonatal sepsis in Kenya, challenges persist in community-facility referrals and follow-up. This study investigates facilitators and barriers to these linkages in Busia and Migori counties, Kenya. Data from June to July 2022 show that while community health volunteers referred many newborns with … [Read more...] about Factors influencing community-facility linkage for case management of possible serious bacterial infections among young infants in Kenya

This study explores the implementation of Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) for Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in Kilifi County, Kenya, to improve their livelihoods and reduce attrition rates. Through focus group discussions and interviews, CHVs expressed a need for stable income and proposed strategies such as table-banking and seeking funding from government agencies … [Read more...] about Implementation framework for income generating activities identified by community health volunteers (CHVs): a strategy to reduce attrition rate in Kilifi County, Kenya