Research evaluating community health worker (CHW) programs inherently involves these natural community leaders in the research process, and often represents community-based participatory research (CBPR). Interpreting the results of CHW intervention studies and replicating their findings requires knowledge of how CHWs are selected and trained. There was inconsistent … [Read more...] about Role development of community health workers: an examination of selection and training processes in the intervention literature.
Evaluation
Linking community-based blood pressure measurement to clinical care: a randomized controlled trial of outreach and tracking by community health workers.
This study assessed the effectiveness of enhanced tracking and follow-up services provided by community health workers in promoting medical follow-up of persons whose elevated blood pressures were detected during blood pressure measurement at urban community sites. The primary outcome measure was completion of a medical follow-up visit within 90 days of referral. Results showed … [Read more...] about Linking community-based blood pressure measurement to clinical care: a randomized controlled trial of outreach and tracking by community health workers.
The impact of lay health advisors on cardiovascular health promotion: using a community-based participatory approach.
Overweight and obesity, lack of exercise, and exposure to tobacco smoke are clearly identified behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These problems disproportionately affect some communities. To address these problems within one community of underserved Latinos, participatory research methods were used to design an outreach program. Latina lay health advisors … [Read more...] about The impact of lay health advisors on cardiovascular health promotion: using a community-based participatory approach.
Can community health workers improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in the USA? A review of the literature.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV infection into a manageable chronic illness, yet AIDS mortality among ethnic minorities persists in the USA. HAART nonadherence is associated with increased HIV viral load, low CD4 cell count and racial disparities in HIV outcomes. While there is no universal consensus on how to improve medical adherence in … [Read more...] about Can community health workers improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in the USA? A review of the literature.
Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001
This report summarizes the CHW evaluations conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2001. It also characterizes community health worker (CHW) performance using an algorithm for managing common childhood illnesses in Siaya District, Kenya. Results showed deficiencies were found in the management of sick children by CHWs, although care was not consistently poor. Key reasons for the … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001