Severe malnutrition is a big health problem for young children in sub-Saharan Africa. This study in Burkina Faso looked at whether using a simple arm measurement (MUAC) by community health workers to find and refer malnourished children for treatment helped improve their health or reduced deaths. Among over 65,000 children screened, only a small number were referred. The … [Read more...] about Effectiveness of mass screening for severe acute malnutrition using mid-upper arm circumference: a prospective regression discontinuity design
Effectiveness of a breast cancer screening program among non-adherent women in Puerto Rico: A community-based participatory research effort of the Puerto Rico CEAL Community Outreach and Engagement Group
Breast cancer is a major health issue for women in Puerto Rico. This study tested whether community health workers (CHWs) could help more women get breast cancer screenings. From December 2023 to June 2024, women aged 50–74 who were overdue for a mammogram were given either information about cancer screening or general health advice. CHWs followed up to see if the women … [Read more...] about Effectiveness of a breast cancer screening program among non-adherent women in Puerto Rico: A community-based participatory research effort of the Puerto Rico CEAL Community Outreach and Engagement Group
Self-confidence as a driver of community impact: Outcomes of the Community Genetic Navigation Engagement Specialist (CoGENES) train-the-trainer program
Colorectal cancer affects Hispanic/Latino communities more than others, partly due to low awareness and limited access to information. To help address this, a training program called CoGENES was created to teach community health workers (CHWs) about cancer prevention and genetic testing. The program was taught in Spanish and English and included three phases: training 12 CHWs, … [Read more...] about Self-confidence as a driver of community impact: Outcomes of the Community Genetic Navigation Engagement Specialist (CoGENES) train-the-trainer program
Community Healthcare Providers’ Perspective on Malaria Control in Difficult Terrains (DAMaN) in Odisha, India
Malaria is still a big health problem in remote parts of India. The DAMaN program in Odisha fights malaria by testing and treating whole communities, especially in tribal areas. This study asked 53 local community health workers about their views. They said DAMaN helped reduce malaria and made healthcare more available in hard-to-reach places. It also built trust in public … [Read more...] about Community Healthcare Providers’ Perspective on Malaria Control in Difficult Terrains (DAMaN) in Odisha, India
Field Dynamics Faced by Community Health Workers During a Public Health Crisis: A Qualitative Study of Motivations and Challenges
Because there aren’t enough healthcare workers, more Community Health Workers (CHWs) are being trained to help meet health needs. During health emergencies like COVID-19, CHWs played a key role in helping communities, despite many challenges. This study interviewed 13 CHWs in Makassar City to understand what motivates them and what challenges they face. It found that their … [Read more...] about Field Dynamics Faced by Community Health Workers During a Public Health Crisis: A Qualitative Study of Motivations and Challenges