There is limited evidence that interventions for depression and other common mental disorders (CMD) can be integrated sustainably into primary health care in Africa. We aimed to pilot a low-cost multi-component 'Friendship Bench Intervention' for CMD, locally adapted from problem-solving therapy and delivered by trained and supervised female lay workers to learn if was feasible … [Read more...] about Problem-solving therapy for depression and common mental disorders in Zimbabwe: piloting a task-shifting primary mental health care intervention in a population with a high prevalence of people living with HIV
“There is no Health Without Mental Health” Health and HIV Service Integration in Zimbabwe
In collaboration with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Care and Support and Treatment Technical Working Groups, AIDSTAR-One is implementing a pilot activity that will integrate mental health and harmful substance use screening, counseling, and referral into HIV treatment and care sites in Zimbabwe. This country situational analysis was conducted as a first … [Read more...] about “There is no Health Without Mental Health” Health and HIV Service Integration in Zimbabwe
The Movement For Change
It is a cold rainy day, and a pregnant mother’s water has just broken. A young man stares at the pouring rain hitting the muddy path and sighs. He has no way of getting his wife to the health center that is a two hour walk from his mud-thatched house. He has no money, his bicycle tires are worn out, and they both have no idea what to do! She dies as a result of obstructed … [Read more...] about The Movement For Change
Supporting Community Health Workers is Critical – But Who, What and How?
Community health workers—known by myriad titles, from health extension workers to village volunteers—form a critical part of the frontline health workforce in many low- and middle-income countries. So what kind of community and health system support improves community health worker (CHW) performance? This very question was debated by around 100 individuals representing … [Read more...] about Supporting Community Health Workers is Critical – But Who, What and How?
Sustaining the Impact of Community Health Workers: Evidence from Health System Assessments
Countries seeking to expand health services to the community-level to ensure equity of access to care frequently turn to community health workers (CHW) as an essential expansion of the health team. A variety of approaches to training, hiring and supporting community health workers have been implemented by countries, and there are many important lessons learned to be … [Read more...] about Sustaining the Impact of Community Health Workers: Evidence from Health System Assessments
