Community trust is essential to increasing access and providing quality healthcare. A study was conducted in Haiti, Kenya, and Bangladesh to develop a quantitative scale that measures this significant factor and its effect on the impact of healthcare systems and programs. The resulting Trust in CHWs scale is a validated measure that can inform enhancements to and development of … [Read more...] about Measuring client trust in community health workers: A multi-country validation study
Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
This study investigates the utility of a school-based mental health service model using community health workers to implement early intervention programs in high poverty urban communities amongst K-4 children and their parents. Findings of this study indicate that CHWs are able to identify and implement mental health interventions for school-aged children and their families. … [Read more...] about Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce
This paper comments on the ways that community health workers should be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. CHWs are members of the communities they serve, making them skilled in community engagement and health communication at a time when social distancing mandates are a possible barrier in connecting vulnerable communities to resources. The authors … [Read more...] about Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce
Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening: quality improvement interventions at community level to realise maternal and child health gains in Kenya
In Kenya, researchers wanted to know how community health workers were being engaged to improve antenatal care and skilled delivery outcomes to determine what quality improvement interventions would be most beneficial. The authors found that community quality improvement interventions were a cost-effective way to increase the identification, referral and follow-up of pregnant … [Read more...] about Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening: quality improvement interventions at community level to realise maternal and child health gains in Kenya
Compensation models for community health workers: Comparison of legal frameworks across five countries
Despite their vital function in keeping communities healthy and safe, community health worker (CHW) pay has long been a subject to global debate. This study maps the legal environment for CHW compensation in Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Ultimately, having a strong legal framework does not guarantee proper compensation for CHWs, but it is an important first … [Read more...] about Compensation models for community health workers: Comparison of legal frameworks across five countries