The community health worker (CHW) model has been successfully used to promote health and reduce adverse health outcomes in underserved communities. Although there is a general consensus that involvement of natural helpers from the targeted communities is a promising approach in the elimination of health disparities, there is less agreement on their responsibilities, scope of … [Read more...] about Recognizing the diverse roles of community health workers in the elimination of health disparities: from paid staff to volunteers.
Recognition/remuneration
Engaging People Living With HIV as Lay Counsellors in HIV Care and Treatment Services: Experiences in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
This document summarises the key components of the lay counsellors programme that have contributed to its success, such as careful recruitment practices and recognition of lay counsellors as valued members of health-care teams. The lay counsellors trained over the past two years play essential roles: they encourage and support HIV testing and drug adherence, complement the … [Read more...] about Engaging People Living With HIV as Lay Counsellors in HIV Care and Treatment Services: Experiences in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Community Health Worker Assessment and Improvement Matrix (CHW AIM): A Toolkit for Improving CHW Programs and Services
A key element of USAID’s strategic approach to maternal and child health (MCH) is to increase the number of functional community health workers serving in USAID priority countries by at least 100,000 by 2013. At the request of the USAID MCH team, the Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) developed a tool that defines a set of key elements needed for community health worker … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Assessment and Improvement Matrix (CHW AIM): A Toolkit for Improving CHW Programs and Services
Improving Performance of Community-Level Health and Nutrition Functionaries: A Review of Evidence in India
This review of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) III which highlights lack of supervision, poor worker motivation, and related issues as critical challenges. It shows that programs often focus on training but other performance factors such as supportive supervision, clear performance expectations and motivation and … [Read more...] about Improving Performance of Community-Level Health and Nutrition Functionaries: A Review of Evidence in India
Measuring engagement of community health workers to improve productivity, retention and quality of care
This investigation looks at applying human resources (HR) concepts related to employee engagement that have been validated in developed countries to the context of volunteers in OVC programs in Ethiopia to the Strengthening Communities and Safety Nets Project. Worker engagement is defined as the extent to which people enjoy and believe in what they do and feel valued for doing … [Read more...] about Measuring engagement of community health workers to improve productivity, retention and quality of care