Qualitative

Embracing Self-Compassion: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of Community Health Workers Providing Basic Psychosocial Support in an Urban Setting

This study explored how community health workers (CHWs) in the Philippines practice self-compassion while dealing with personal and emotional challenges. Through interviews with nine CHWs, the research found that being kind to themselves, staying self-aware, and drawing strength from spirituality and social connections helped them stay resilient. Family support and faith played … [Read more...] about Embracing Self-Compassion: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of Community Health Workers Providing Basic Psychosocial Support in an Urban Setting

Somalia’s health system faces severe challenges, with very low service coverage and a major shortage of health workers. A roundtable in Mogadishu brought together government, private sector, and civil society leaders to set priorities for the National Transformation Plan (2025–2029). Participants highlighted four key needs: expanding primary care through community health … [Read more...] about Transforming Health in Post-Conflict Somalia: Priorities from a Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on the 2025-2029 National Plan

In rural Papua New Guinea, many women give birth without access to midwives or proper health facilities. This study created a culturally sensitive training framework to help midwives teach and support traditional birth attendants. The framework emphasizes trust, respect, and practical learning to improve care for mothers and newborns. By linking traditional birth attendants … [Read more...] about A co-designed conceptual educational framework for midwives to train Indigenous traditional birth attendants in low resource settings of remote Papua New Guinea

In the Republic of Congo, a shortage of health workers has led to greater reliance on community health workers (CHWs) to support primary care. This study explored how CHWs work with health professionals in the Dolisie district. Interviews and focus groups showed that CHWs are mostly young and often women, serving in their own communities. They play a key role in raising … [Read more...] about Function, Collaboration and Challenges of Community Health Workers in the Congolese Health System: A Qualitative Multi-Stakeholder Study in the Health District of Dolisie

This study compared how community health workers (CHWs) are used in countries like Brazil and South Africa with their roles in several European nations. It found that while Europe has similar community-based roles, they are not well integrated into health systems. Countries that link these roles to broader health reforms and social care show the most promise, but few do this … [Read more...] about Community health workers: a comparative assessment of capacities of a global policy approach in selected European health systems