Research

Providing free pregnancy test kits to CHWs increases distribution of contraceptives: results from an impact evaluation in Madagascar

To improve access to contraceptives in remote and rural areas, sub-Saharan African countries are allowing community health workers (CHWs) to distribute hormonal contraceptives. Before offering hormonal contraceptives, CHWs must determine pregnancy status but often lack a reliable way to do so. This study design implemented a randomized experiment in Eastern Madagascar among … [Read more...] about Providing free pregnancy test kits to CHWs increases distribution of contraceptives: results from an impact evaluation in Madagascar

In African countries including Kenya, contraceptive use, fertility rates and other reproductive health indicators in rural areas lag behind urban areas. Even though Kenya's fertility rate declined from 8.1 in 1978 to 4.6 in 2008, the figures are much higher in rural areas, 5.2 compared to an urban rate of 2.9. The persistent high fertility rate has been attributed to many … [Read more...] about Women’s attitudes toward receiving family planning services from community health workers in rural Western Kenya

Globally, there is increasing interest in community health worker’s (CHW) performance; however, there are gaps in the evidence with respect to CHWs’ role in community participation and empowerment. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), whose roles include social activism, are the key cadre in India’s CHW programme which is designed to improve maternal and child … [Read more...] about Community health workers in rural India, analyzing the opportunities and challenges Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) face in realising their multiple roles

Community health workers (CHWs) have been central to broadening the access and coverage of preventative and curative health services worldwide. Much has been debated about how to best remunerate and incentivize this workforce, varying from volunteers to full time workers. Policy bodies, including the WHO and USAID, now advocate for regular stipends. This qualitative study … [Read more...] about Payday, ponchos, and promotions: a qualitative analysis of perspectives from non-governmental organization programme managers on community health worker motivation and incentives

According to the 2010 Global Tobacco Survey, 47.4% of men in Vietnam are current smokers, a smoking prevalence that is the second highest among South East Asian countries (SEAC). If current smoking rates are not addressed it is estimated that in 10 years tobacco use will be responsible for about 25% of adult male deaths in Vietnam. Promoting cessation is the key to … [Read more...] about Barriers and facilitators to expanding the role of community health workers to include smoking cessation services in Vietnam: a qualitative analysis