Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

The importance of community health workers as frontline responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia, 2020-2021

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia faced challenges in responding due to a fragile health system. This study highlights the crucial role of community health workers as frontline responders for community-based surveillance. Over 30% of detected COVID-19 cases were identified through community based surveillance systems, and community health workers … [Read more...] about The importance of community health workers as frontline responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia, 2020-2021

This research examines disparities in the implementation of a community health worker (CHW)-led maternal health intervention in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It focuses on whether certain groups of pregnant women receive the intended postpartum intervention equally. Findings suggest that women with higher parity, unknown HIV status, and those receiving phone consultations experience … [Read more...] about Are populations of postpartum women differentially served by community health worker programs an observational cohort study from Zanzibar, Tanzania

Ethiopian Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Kenyan Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) play key roles in implementing community-based treatment for serious newborn infections (PSBI) within their health systems. From November 2020 to August 2021, both countries conducted research to improve PSBI management during COVID-19, employing strategies like coaching for health workers … [Read more...] about Optimizing integration of community-based management of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants into primary healthcare systems in Ethiopia and Kenya: successes and challenges

Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in identifying and referring children under 5 with danger signs for prompt medical care in rural areas. This study in Bugoye sub-county, Uganda, found that most children with danger signs were appropriately referred according to iCCM protocols. However, there's a need for continuous CHW training to ensure consistent referral … [Read more...] about Management of children with danger signs in integrated community case management care in rural southwestern Uganda (2014–2018)

This study explores the use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to improve HIV outcomes in a rural Ugandan fishing community. Through in-depth interviews, CHWs and clients described positive experiences with MI-informed counseling, highlighting specific MI strategies and collaborative, non-judgmental relationships. The findings suggest that … [Read more...] about Motivational interviewing experiences from a community health worker-led HIV prevention and care intervention in rural Uganda: a qualitative study