Authors: Mwai GW, Mburu G, Torpey K, Frost P, Ford N, Seeley J.
The provision of HIV treatment and care in sub-Saharan Africa faces multiple challenges, including weak health systems and attrition of trained health workers. One potential response to overcome these challenges has been to engage community health workers (CHWs). A systematic literature search for quantitative and qualitative studies describing the role and outcomes of CHWs in HIV care between inception and December 2012 in sub-Saharan Africa was performed. Results showed CHW tasks included patient support (counselling, home-based care, education, adherence support and livelihood support) and health service support (screening, referral and health service organization and surveillance). CHWs can clearly contribute to HIV services delivery and strengthen human resource capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. For their contribution to be sustained, CHWs need to be recognized, remunerated and integrated in wider health systems. Further research focusing on comparative costs of CHW interventions and successful models for mainstreaming CHWs into wider health systems is needed.
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Resource Topic: CHW Role, Community Health Workers/Volunteers, HIV and AIDS, Human Resources Management/Workforce Development, Peer Educators
Resource Type: Journal articles, Research
Year: 2013
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country:
Publisher May Restrict Access: No