The objective of this paper was to assess if training Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in couples counseling would increase modern family planning uptake among young women in Malawi. In this cluster randomized controlled trial, 30 HSAs from Lilongwe, Malawi received training in family planning. The HSAs were then randomized 1:1 to receive or not receive additional training … [Read more...] about Contraceptive uptake after training community health workers in couples counseling: A cluster randomized trial
Effects of a social accountability approach, CARE’s Community Score Card, on reproductive health-related outcomes in Malawi: A cluster-randomized controlled evaluation
This study evaluated the effects of a social accountability approach, CARE’s Community Score Card (CSC), on reproductive health outcomes in Ntcheu district, Malawi using a cluster-randomized control design. Two independent cross-sectional surveys of women who had given birth in the last 12 months, at baseline and at two years post-baseline were conducted. Using … [Read more...] about Effects of a social accountability approach, CARE’s Community Score Card, on reproductive health-related outcomes in Malawi: A cluster-randomized controlled evaluation
Year in Review 2016—World Vision International Health and Nutrition
In this "2016 Year in Review", World Vision shares notable observations on persistent challenges to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), alongside key examples and innovations demonstrating how they are tackling them. … [Read more...] about Year in Review 2016—World Vision International Health and Nutrition
Hope and despair: community health assistants’ experiences of working in a rural district in Zambia.
This paper explores the motivation to become a community health assistant (CHA) in Zambia, the experiences of working in a rural district, and how these experiences affected CHAs’ motivation to work. To examine CHAs’ experiences, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 12 CHAs and observations were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Personal … [Read more...] about Hope and despair: community health assistants’ experiences of working in a rural district in Zambia.
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lay health worker programmes to improve access to maternal and child health: qualitative evidence synthesis.
This article synthesizes the qualitative evidence of the effectiveness of lay health workers (LHWs) as well as the factors affecting implementation of LHW programs for maternal and child health. 53 studies were included primarily describing the experiences of LHWs, program recipients, and other health workers. Results from the review suggest that rather than being seen as a … [Read more...] about Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lay health worker programmes to improve access to maternal and child health: qualitative evidence synthesis.

