This action article stresses the significance of CHWs for achieving 4 pivotal goals in the effort against the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations. The authors argue for and present strategies to: “(1) PROTECT healthcare workers, (2) INTERRUPT the virus, (3) MAINTAIN existing healthcare services while surging their capacity, and (4) … [Read more...] about Prioritising the role of community health workers in the COVID-19 response
Infectious/communicable diseases
The fidelity of implementation of recommended care for children with malaria by community health workers in Nigeria
Conducted in Nigeria, this study measured the fidelity of implementation (FOI) for CHWs performing a recommended malaria treatment. The evidence found that CHW adherence was highest for following malaria treatment guidelines and lowest for post-treatment counseling. verall CHW adherence to guidelines was 83%. … [Read more...] about The fidelity of implementation of recommended care for children with malaria by community health workers in Nigeria
Implementation research on community health workers’ provision of maternal and child health services in rural Liberia
This study conducted in rural Liberia examined changes in maternal and child health after the implementation of an upgraded CHW intervention. Results indicated increased percentages of children receiving care, facility-based delivery, and formal sector care for acute respiratory infection and diarrhea. The percentage of mothers that received antenatal and postnatal care, … [Read more...] about Implementation research on community health workers’ provision of maternal and child health services in rural Liberia
The first mile: community experience of outbreak control during an Ebola outbreak in Luwero District, Uganda
In 2012, Uganda implemented an Ebola outbreak control initiative using community health workers and social mobilization approaches to curb the outbreak. This ethnographic study assessed community perspectives of the ebola control initiative. It found skepticism and distrust among community members about biomedical explanations for Ebola and about community health workers, who … [Read more...] about The first mile: community experience of outbreak control during an Ebola outbreak in Luwero District, Uganda
Lessons Learned from Reinforcing Epidemiologic Surveillance During the 2017 Ebola Outbreak in the Likati District, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo created an Ebola virus disease (EVD) surveillance team in response to new EVD cases in 2017. Early mobilization of a cohort including CHWs led to the successful detection and containment of cases. The authors note several key lessons and recommendations to improve disease outbreak control in rural areas. … [Read more...] about Lessons Learned from Reinforcing Epidemiologic Surveillance During the 2017 Ebola Outbreak in the Likati District, Democratic Republic of the Congo