Authors: Anatole Manzi, Benjamin Katz, Daniel Nguyen, Emrakabe Bekele, Joseph Niyonzima, Olive Nyiraneza, Lisa R Hirschhorn
This study assessed a community health worker (CHW)-led program in rural Rwanda to screen and manage soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among school-aged children. Using a non-biomedical screening tool called Beta CommScreen, CHWs identified 43% of children with potential STH symptoms. About 29% were referred for clinic treatment, while deworming medication was provided to 14% at school. Factors like CHW monitoring and not walking barefoot were linked to lower STH risk. The study highlights the effectiveness of CHWs in school-based health interventions but underscores the need for improved referral systems to ensure all affected children receive timely treatment.
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Resource Topic: CHW Role
Resource Type: Cross-sectional mixed methods
Year: 2024
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Rwanda
Publisher May Restrict Access: No