Authors: Robert James Mash, Darcelle Schouw, Emmanuelle Daviaud, Donela Besada & Darrin Roman
In this mixed methods study, researchers sought to evaluate a medication home delivery service implemented by community health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted from April 2020 to October 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. Using the Metro Health Services, or MHS, a program that serves 80 percent of the uninsured population in Cape Town, researchers were connected with a network of 2,500 CHWs, each of whom individually serviced 250 households. Patients with chronic conditions who regularly took medication were registered for the program. Following the six-month implementation period, researchers found that the intervention decongested health facilities and helped to protect vulnerable patients. However, the program had many challenges including incorrect delivery and contact details. Overall, CHW-led medication home delivery services were shown to be feasible and affordable, but more attention to logistical details will be needed to smoothen implementation.
Link: Evaluating the implementation of home delivery of medication by community health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Town, South Africa: a convergent mixed methods study
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Resource Topic: CHW, Home Delivery, Implementation, Medication
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2022
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: South Africa
Publisher May Restrict Access: No