This is a review commissioned by the WHO which aims to assess the existing evidence regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of CHW programs. It is a broad scope paper which uses published and selected ‘grey’ literature available since the 1970s. Some of the topics reviewed are: the role of CHWs, their use, performance, retention, impact effectiveness, and cost … [Read more...] about Community health workers: What do we know about them? The state of the evidence on programmes, activities, costs and impact on health outcomes of using community health workers
CHW Role
Task shifting in HIV/AIDS: opportunities, challenges and proposed actions for sub-Saharan Africa
This review paper examines key opportunities and challenges presented when task shifting is used to rapidly expand human resource capacity to address HIV/AIDS. Opportunities include: increasing access to life-saving treatment; improving workforce skills mix and health system efficiency; enhancing the role of the community; cost savings; and reducing attrition and international … [Read more...] about Task shifting in HIV/AIDS: opportunities, challenges and proposed actions for sub-Saharan Africa
Systems Support for Task-Shifting to Community Health Workers
This technical brief discusses necessary elements of a successful approach to task-shifting of life-saving services to CHWs. The document highlights the importance of systems for planning and regulation, education and training, supervision, referral and evaluation. … [Read more...] about Systems Support for Task-Shifting to Community Health Workers
Lay health workers in primary and community health care: A systematic review of trials
This review examines randomized control trials that tested the effectiveness of lay health worker (LHW) interventions on improving Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and addressing key high-burden diseases in low and middle income countries. The authors found that the use of LHWs in health programs showed benefits when compared with standard care in promoting immunization and … [Read more...] about Lay health workers in primary and community health care: A systematic review of trials
Comparing the Effectiveness and Costs of Alternative Strategies for Improving Access to Information and Services for the IUD in Ghana
This report describes a study conducted in Ghana to explore utilizing Community Health Officers (CHOs) and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to increase interest in using IUDs and other long-acting and permanent methods. The study utilized a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design and included two intervention groups (where CHOs and CHVs were given additional training and … [Read more...] about Comparing the Effectiveness and Costs of Alternative Strategies for Improving Access to Information and Services for the IUD in Ghana
