CHW Central

A global resource for and about Community Health Workers

South Africa

An ICT-enabled community oriented primary care intervention in mining communities during COVID-19 (2019–2022): perceived changes in the role and place of community health workers

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This study looks at how service providers view the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in a four-year ICT-enabled healthcare project for rural mining communities in South Africa. The project aimed to improve healthcare access in areas where public services are often fragmented and the health impacts of mining go unaddressed. CHWs registered over 42,000 households and … [Read more...] about An ICT-enabled community oriented primary care intervention in mining communities during COVID-19 (2019–2022): perceived changes in the role and place of community health workers

Exploring Empathic Communication Among Community Health Workers: Applying the ENACT Tool in Two South African Sites

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This study looked at how well community health workers (CHWs) in South Africa communicated with patients, focusing on empathic communication skills. Researchers used a tool called the Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors (ENACT) to measure these skills before and after a quality improvement program called Nyamekela4Care. They recorded 66 consultations in Afrikaans … [Read more...] about Exploring Empathic Communication Among Community Health Workers: Applying the ENACT Tool in Two South African Sites

Community members’ perceptions of community health workers in Melusi, Tshwane, South Africa

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This study explored how community members in Melusi informal settlement, South Africa, view community health workers (CHWs). Participants praised CHWs for their communication, support, and ability to provide essential health services. Although some challenges like resistance and privacy issues were noted, CHWs were seen as vital in improving health, offering emergency support, … [Read more...] about Community members’ perceptions of community health workers in Melusi, Tshwane, South Africa

Integration of nutrition support using the FIGO nutrition checklist in the Bukhali trial: a dietitian’s perspective

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The Bukhali trial in Soweto, South Africa, is working with young women (18-28 years) to tackle obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, which affect health during pregnancy and can impact future generations. The program includes a dietitian who works with community health workers to offer nutritional support using the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) … [Read more...] about Integration of nutrition support using the FIGO nutrition checklist in the Bukhali trial: a dietitian’s perspective

The role of a community health worker‑delivered preconception and pregnancy intervention in achieving a more positive pregnancy experience: the Bukhali trial in Soweto, South Africa

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This study explored the pregnancy and postpartum experiences of young women in Soweto, South Africa, and how the Bukhali intervention, delivered by community health workers (CHWs), impacted these experiences. Interviews with 15 women revealed that pregnancy was shaped by feelings of responsibility, physical and mental health challenges, unstable support, and socioeconomic … [Read more...] about The role of a community health worker‑delivered preconception and pregnancy intervention in achieving a more positive pregnancy experience: the Bukhali trial in Soweto, South Africa