This paper examines various incentives used to motivate and retain community health workers, particularly those working in child health and nutrition programs in developing countries. Drawing from case studies in Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras and Madagascar, the authors recommend a more systematic use of multiple incentives based on an understanding of the different … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Incentives and Disincentives: How They Affect Motivation, Retention, and Sustainability
Research
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
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
Retrospective comparative evaluation of the lasting impact of a community-based primary health programme on under-5 mortality in villages around Jamkhed, India
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) is a community-based program that provides primary care services utilizing village health workers and mobile health teams. The researchers conducted an impact evaluation of CRHP on childhood mortality over the period of September 1992 and December 2007. They concluded that community-based programs such as CRHP can have a lasting … [Read more...] about Retrospective comparative evaluation of the lasting impact of a community-based primary health programme on under-5 mortality in villages around Jamkhed, India
Training Community Health Workers: Using Technology and Distance Education
This paper provides an overview of programs that use technology and distance education to train CHWs in rural areas. Challenges identified in the paper include: consistent use of definitions; appropriate technology formats; access to technology; cultural competency of faculty; support for faculty and students; and quality assurance. The authors conclude that in order to be … [Read more...] about Training Community Health Workers: Using Technology and Distance Education
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
