In Afghanistan, where a majority of births take place outside of a formal healthcare system and without a skilled health professional, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a high risk. The authors of this study conducted a randomized-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a prophylactic drug, misoprostol, on treating PPH. Community health workers (CHWs) identified cases … [Read more...] about Testing a home-based model of care using misoprostol for prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: results from a randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
This study investigates the utility of a school-based mental health service model using community health workers to implement early intervention programs in high poverty urban communities amongst K-4 children and their parents. Findings of this study indicate that CHWs are able to identify and implement mental health interventions for school-aged children and their families. … [Read more...] about Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening: quality improvement interventions at community level to realise maternal and child health gains in Kenya
In Kenya, researchers wanted to know how community health workers were being engaged to improve antenatal care and skilled delivery outcomes to determine what quality improvement interventions would be most beneficial. The authors found that community quality improvement interventions were a cost-effective way to increase the identification, referral and follow-up of pregnant … [Read more...] about Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening: quality improvement interventions at community level to realise maternal and child health gains in Kenya
Mother-To-Mother: Evaluation of The Sustainability of A Peer Model to Communicate Nutrition Messages in Mozambique
In Mozambique, child malnutrition remains a persistent problem. This study evaluated the use of community health workers (CHWs) as part of a health promotion strategy in a USAID-funded Child Survival Program in Mozambique five years after the program ended. CHWs proved to be valuable in the fight against child malnutrition, however, they need financial support and training to … [Read more...] about Mother-To-Mother: Evaluation of The Sustainability of A Peer Model to Communicate Nutrition Messages in Mozambique
Impact of village health volunteer support on postnatal depressive symptoms in the remote rural areas of Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a cross-sectional study
In the Lao district of Xepon, the majority of the Village Health Volunteer (VHV) workforce is male, which presents unique challenges when engaging with pregnant females for primary healthcare purposes. To enhance primary care among this population through VHVs, this study paired VHVs were partnered with female VHVs to understand the effect of a male and female VHV team on … [Read more...] about Impact of village health volunteer support on postnatal depressive symptoms in the remote rural areas of Lao People’s Democratic Republic: a cross-sectional study