Somalia’s health system faces major challenges due to weak governance and conflict. To improve services, two new efforts were introduced: the Marwo Caafimaad community health worker program and a digital reporting system using DHIS2. This study reviewed health data from 2018–2024 and gathered insights from interviews and focus groups. The results showed clear progress; … [Read more...] about Health Systems Governance in Somalia: An Examination of Validity, Digital Accountability, and Community Health Workforce through Mixed Methods Research
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Facilitators and Barriers in the Implementation of Community Health Workers-Led Multicomponent Intervention to Control Hypertension at Selected Health Centers in Rwanda: Qualitative Research
This study explored what helps or hinders community health workers (CHWs) in managing hypertension through a multicomponent care approach in two districts in Rwanda. Interviews and group discussions with health workers, managers, and patients showed that financial incentives, training, and education supported the program’s success, while lack of funds, limited training, and … [Read more...] about Facilitators and Barriers in the Implementation of Community Health Workers-Led Multicomponent Intervention to Control Hypertension at Selected Health Centers in Rwanda: Qualitative Research
Leveraging Community Health Workers to Improve Access to Maternity Care in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
This study explored how community health workers (CHWs) can help improve maternal health in rural Malawi through proactive home visits and mobile health (mHealth) tools. In Neno District, regular CHW home visits led to more women attending antenatal care (ANC) early and giving birth in health facilities, though postnatal care visits did not improve. A review of similar studies … [Read more...] about Leveraging Community Health Workers to Improve Access to Maternity Care in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
Community-based hearing aid fitting model for adults in low-income communities facilitated by community health workers: a feasibility study
This study tested whether community health workers could successfully fit hearing aids for people in a low-income area in Cape Town, South Africa. Twenty-five participants received over-the-counter hearing aids, and most reported better hearing, especially in noisy places, along with high satisfaction and daily use. Nearly all said the hearing aids were very helpful and would … [Read more...] about Community-based hearing aid fitting model for adults in low-income communities facilitated by community health workers: a feasibility study
A realist perspective on optimizing community health workers’ roles and functions to deliver integrated people-centred care
This study explored how community health workers (CHWs) in rural South Africa deliver care that focuses on people’s needs. It found that trust, legitimacy, and motivation are key to helping CHWs connect with communities and coordinate services. These work best when CHWs have proper supervision, are part of the formal health system, and collaborate with other sectors. However, … [Read more...] about A realist perspective on optimizing community health workers’ roles and functions to deliver integrated people-centred care
