Neonatal deaths remain a major concern in South Africa, with nearly half linked to prematurity. The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program supports very low birth weight (VLBW) babies through community health worker visits. This study examined VLBW infants discharged from a regional hospital, their follow-up care, health outcomes, and caregiver experiences. Among 169 … [Read more...] about Community-based follow-up of very low birth weight neonates discharged from a regional hospital in Cape Town: a descriptive study
Community Health Worker Requirements to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage in Africa: An Overview of Contemporary Estimates and Implications of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Working Arrangements
Community health workers are essential for achieving universal health coverage and reducing health inequalities by providing key healthcare services. African leaders aim to expand this workforce, but there is uncertainty about how many are needed. Estimates suggest that depending on their working hours, the number of community health workers required ranges from 11.2 to 59.5 … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Requirements to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage in Africa: An Overview of Contemporary Estimates and Implications of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Working Arrangements
An exploration of Michigan certified peer support specialists’ perceptions on tobacco use and additional future supports
This study explored peer support specialists' views on tobacco cessation services to improve policies and interventions in rural and urban areas. A survey of 172 peers found that most saw existing services like Quitlines, counseling, and medications as somewhat effective, with peer-to-peer support rated the highest. Rural peers emphasized the need for more access, holistic … [Read more...] about An exploration of Michigan certified peer support specialists’ perceptions on tobacco use and additional future supports
Dual Certification Of Community Health Workers And Certified Peer Support Specialists Can Better Address Syndemics
Public health crises like HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid overdoses often overlap, worsening health disparities, especially in marginalized communities. Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Peer Support Specialists (PSSs) play crucial roles in addressing these challenges—CHWs focus on health education and resource navigation, while PSSs provide support through lived experience in … [Read more...] about Dual Certification Of Community Health Workers And Certified Peer Support Specialists Can Better Address Syndemics
Feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a human-centered design-derived intervention to improve community health workers’ contraception outreach in rural Malawi
Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in Malawi play a key role in expanding contraceptive access in rural areas. The Ndingathe intervention was designed to improve outreach by addressing HSA workflow challenges and enhancing self-injection counseling through a mnemonic and peer support from experienced users. During a six-month pilot, Ndingathe increased outreach clinic … [Read more...] about Feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a human-centered design-derived intervention to improve community health workers’ contraception outreach in rural Malawi