This systematic review analyses the research undertaken with respect to India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) scheme as the programme enters its second decade. The review focused on whether the programme has suitable health systems interfaces to ensure sustainability and areas to focus upon as the programme evolves. … [Read more...] about Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective
Can community health workers increase modern contraceptive use among young married women? A cross-sectional study in rural Niger
The Republic of Niger reports the highest rates of early marriage and adolescent fertility in the world. This study assesses cross-sectional data from household surveys to determine if the deployment of volunteer community health workers in rural settings has improved family planning services in adolescents and youth. … [Read more...] about Can community health workers increase modern contraceptive use among young married women? A cross-sectional study in rural Niger
Community health extension program of Ethiopia, 2003–2018: successes and challenges toward universal coverage for primary healthcare services
Since 2003, Ethiopia has been implementing a community health extension program (HEP). This systematic review assesses the improvements that the program has brought about particularly in terms of maternal and childcare, hygiene and sanitation, knowledge and healthcare seeking. It also looks at the weaknesses of this dynamic program with respect to productivity, efficiency, … [Read more...] about Community health extension program of Ethiopia, 2003–2018: successes and challenges toward universal coverage for primary healthcare services
Community health workers to improve uptake of maternal healthcare services: A cluster-randomized pragmatic trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
In addition to quality of care of maternal health services, increased uptake of antenatal care (ANC) and facility- based delivery are key contributors to improved maternal and neonatal health in resource limited settings. This cluster randomized trial attempted to assess the impact of a community health worker (CHW) intervention on the proportion of women who visit ANC less … [Read more...] about Community health workers to improve uptake of maternal healthcare services: A cluster-randomized pragmatic trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Rethinking integrated nutrition‐health strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies in children under five in Mozambique
This paper presents the results of a study using trained CHWs to compare in-person auditory brainstem response (ABR). The intervention linked CHWs to a tele-medicine approach in a community-based pediatric hearing screening program; it concludes that a tele-medicine approach is viable. … [Read more...] about Rethinking integrated nutrition‐health strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies in children under five in Mozambique