Community health workers (CHWs), often volunteers or minimally paid, play vital roles in addressing health disparities. This study focuses on "change-agent" CHWs in an Indian nutrition education program.The analysis reveals challenges in volunteer selection, tensions between volunteer expectations, training and empowerment, and varied perspectives on CHWs payments. While … [Read more...] about Equity and empowerment effects: Multiple styles of ‘voluntarism’ in community-based health projects.
Asia
Towards stunting eradication in Indonesia: Time to invest in community health workers.
Indonesia, home to a large population of young children, faces a high prevalence of stunting, a serious issue with lasting consequences. The government aims to eliminate stunting by 2030, with community health workers (CHWs) playing a central role. Over 1.5 million Indonesian CHWs conduct crucial monthly monitoring and counseling. This assessment explores CHWs' current … [Read more...] about Towards stunting eradication in Indonesia: Time to invest in community health workers.
“We are everyone’s ASHAs but who’s there for us?” a qualitative exploration of perceptions of work stress and coping among rural frontline workers in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Over a million female village-level health workers known as 'Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)' in India are experiencing significant stress due to demanding work and low pay, compounded by poverty and gender inequality. Through qualitative research, the study delved into ASHAs' views on work stress and their coping mechanisms. The findings highlighted specific … [Read more...] about “We are everyone’s ASHAs but who’s there for us?” a qualitative exploration of perceptions of work stress and coping among rural frontline workers in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Acceptability and operational feasibility of community health worker-led home phototherapy treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in rural Bangladesh
In low-resource areas like rural Bangladesh, access to phototherapy for newborns with hyperbilirubinemia is limited. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of community health worker (CHW)-led home phototherapy. Results showed that families and CHWs found it feasible and convenient, with CHWs receiving intensive training and using mobile health tools for support. … [Read more...] about Acceptability and operational feasibility of community health worker-led home phototherapy treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in rural Bangladesh
Culturally adapted training for community volunteers to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding non-communicable diseases in Vietnam
This study evaluates the impact of culturally adapted training on community health volunteers (CHVs) in Vietnam regarding non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and management. While the training significantly improved knowledge, attitudes and practices did not show notable change. However, sustaining knowledge gains over time proved challenging, indicating the need for … [Read more...] about Culturally adapted training for community volunteers to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding non-communicable diseases in Vietnam