Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) systems help detect and report diseases early in outbreak-prone areas. After the Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone trained community health workers (CHWs) to monitor 11 key health conditions. A 2019 study found that CBS matched disease reports from health facilities in functional areas, improving early detection. However, challenges like funding … [Read more...] about Feasibility and challenges in sustaining a community based surveillance system in post-Ebola Sierra Leone
Task-sharing to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and violence prevention in vulnerable families in Sierra Leone: a pilot feasibility study
Household violence is common in low- and middle-income countries, harming mental health and child development. This study tested a home-visiting program in rural Sierra Leone to improve parenting and reduce violence. Community Health Workers were trained to deliver the intervention to families with young children. Compared to standard care, the program improved caregiver-child … [Read more...] about Task-sharing to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and violence prevention in vulnerable families in Sierra Leone: a pilot feasibility study
Improving Access to PMTCT Through the Involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants in Program Activities in the Far North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Cohort Study
In the Lake Chad basin, most deliveries are assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs). This study looked at whether training and involving TBAs in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) could improve access to these services. Researchers compared communities with trained TBAs to those without. Mothers in communities with trained TBAs were more likely to get … [Read more...] about Improving Access to PMTCT Through the Involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants in Program Activities in the Far North Region of Cameroon: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Association between coordinated counseling from both ASHA and Anganwadi Workers and maternal health outcomes: A cross-sectional study from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, India
This study explored how teamwork between two types of community health workers (CHWs) in rural India—Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)—impacts maternal health. Data from over 6,600 mothers showed that coordinated efforts by both CHW groups improved key outcomes like birth preparedness, institutional delivery, postnatal care, and … [Read more...] about Association between coordinated counseling from both ASHA and Anganwadi Workers and maternal health outcomes: A cross-sectional study from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, India
Integrating Community Health Workers in Rhode Island — A Roadmap toward Health Equity
Rhode Island has developed a plan to expand and sustain the role of community health workers (CHWs) to improve health equity. With input from 140 leaders, including many CHWs from marginalized communities, the state redefined CHWs' roles to include connecting people to resources and advocating for systemic change. Using federal funding, Rhode Island invested in CHWs as part of … [Read more...] about Integrating Community Health Workers in Rhode Island — A Roadmap toward Health Equity