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
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
What Works In CHW Approaches And Innovation Serving People In Reentry From Incarceration
This toolkit highlights how Community Health Workers (CHWs) and peers with lived experience support people returning to their communities after incarceration. Reentry can be overwhelming, with challenges like meeting probation requirements, finding housing, jobs, and health services. CHWs and peers help by offering guidance, emotional support, and connections to care—especially … [Read more...] about What Works In CHW Approaches And Innovation Serving People In Reentry From Incarceration
Community Health Workers as Key Providers of Easy-to-Use Contraceptive Injectables
This study tested what happens when trained community health workers are allowed to give women a new type of birth control shot during home visits. The number of shots given went up by about 70%. However, overall birth control use didn’t increase much, since many women chose the shots instead of longer-lasting options like implants or IUDs. … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers as Key Providers of Easy-to-Use Contraceptive Injectables
Moving away from volunteerism in community health? Motivations and wellbeing among urban and rural Ethiopian volunteers
This study looks at how unpaid community health workers (mostly women) in Ethiopia continued to work without pay, even as the government claimed it was moving away from volunteer-based health programs. The research compares two groups—one in cities focused on HIV care, and one in rural areas focused on general health. It shows that both groups were still expected to work for … [Read more...] about Moving away from volunteerism in community health? Motivations and wellbeing among urban and rural Ethiopian volunteers
Effectiveness and uptake of WhatsApp-based HIV microlearning for healthcare workers in remote South African clinics: a pragmatic, mixed-methods, cluster-randomised trial
This study tested short HIV training lessons sent through WhatsApp to nurses and community health workers in South Africa. Most participants read the lessons quickly, and the training improved their knowledge and how they cared for patients. Patient care improved by 21% after the training. The approach was simple, well-received, and shows promise as an easy and low-cost way to … [Read more...] about Effectiveness and uptake of WhatsApp-based HIV microlearning for healthcare workers in remote South African clinics: a pragmatic, mixed-methods, cluster-randomised trial
