Community Health Workers (CHWs) help connect traditional healing with modern healthcare, especially in places with limited resources. This paper looks at how CHWs promote the use of medicinal plants to treat illnesses. It shares examples from different regions where CHWs have successfully helped communities use plant-based treatments. It also discusses the training, challenges, … [Read more...] about The Role of Community Health Workers in Promoting the Use of Medicinal Plants for Disease Management
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Community Health Provision at Scale: Evidence from a Cluster-Randomized Trial in Uganda
This study looked at a large-scale community health worker (CHW) program in Uganda to see if it could continue reducing child deaths, as earlier trials had shown. Two NGOs ran the program in different regions. After a mid-point review showed only small improvements, one NGO (Program A) made major changes, while the other (Program B) made only minor ones. By the end of the … [Read more...] about Community Health Provision at Scale: Evidence from a Cluster-Randomized Trial in Uganda
A qualitative study to explore mother’s experiences of a family MUAC project in two provinces in South Africa
This study explored how mothers and caregivers felt about the Family MUAC program in South Africa, which trained them to measure their child's nutrition. Mothers appreciated the support from community health workers (CHWs), who were seen as caring and helpful. At first, measuring MUAC was challenging, but with CHW guidance, mothers became more confident. The program helped … [Read more...] about A qualitative study to explore mother’s experiences of a family MUAC project in two provinces in South Africa
Constrained optimization: evaluating possible packages of community health interventions with competing resource requirements in Galmudug, Somalia
This study focused on helping save mothers’ and babies’ lives in rural Somalia, where resources are limited. Using a math-based model, researchers figured out the best mix of health services that Community Health Workers (CHWs) could provide with the money and staff available. With 1,450 female health workers and a $435,000 budget, the model showed that about 15% of expected … [Read more...] about Constrained optimization: evaluating possible packages of community health interventions with competing resource requirements in Galmudug, Somalia
Barriers to community engagement during the response to an Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda
This study looked at the challenges faced in involving communities during Uganda’s 2022–2023 Ebola outbreak response. It found that engagement was affected by poor communication, lack of early consultation with communities, overworked and unpaid community health workers, and weak coordination among government and partners. To improve future emergency responses, the study … [Read more...] about Barriers to community engagement during the response to an Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda
