The objective of this paper was to assess if training Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in couples counseling would increase modern family planning uptake among young women in Malawi. In this cluster randomized controlled trial, 30 HSAs from Lilongwe, Malawi received training in family planning. The HSAs were then randomized 1:1 to receive or not receive additional training … [Read more...] about Contraceptive uptake after training community health workers in couples counseling: A cluster randomized trial
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Year in Review 2016—World Vision International Health and Nutrition
In this "2016 Year in Review", World Vision shares notable observations on persistent challenges to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), alongside key examples and innovations demonstrating how they are tackling them. … [Read more...] about Year in Review 2016—World Vision International Health and Nutrition
Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lay health worker programmes to improve access to maternal and child health: qualitative evidence synthesis.
This article synthesizes the qualitative evidence of the effectiveness of lay health workers (LHWs) as well as the factors affecting implementation of LHW programs for maternal and child health. 53 studies were included primarily describing the experiences of LHWs, program recipients, and other health workers. Results from the review suggest that rather than being seen as a … [Read more...] about Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of lay health worker programmes to improve access to maternal and child health: qualitative evidence synthesis.
Innovation in health service delivery: integrating community health assistants into the health system at district level in Zambia
This paper explores the factors that shaped the acceptability and adoption of community health assistants (CHAs) into the health system at the district level in Zambia. Using thematic analysis, data was collected through a review of documents, 6 focus group discussions with community leaders, and 12 key informant interviews with CHA trainers, supervisors and members of the … [Read more...] about Innovation in health service delivery: integrating community health assistants into the health system at district level in Zambia
Does task shifting yield cost savings and improve efficiency for health systems? A systematic review of evidence from low-income and middle-income countries
Research has demonstrated that task shifting, including the use of CHWs to deliver care, can improve population health. This systematic review examines whether task shifting in LMICs results in efficiency improvements by achieving cost savings. The authors identified 794 articles, and included 34 in the study. They found that substantial evidence exists for achieving cost … [Read more...] about Does task shifting yield cost savings and improve efficiency for health systems? A systematic review of evidence from low-income and middle-income countries
