This commentary responds to an article by Sunu Thomas (2020) describing concerns about the role of confidentiality when a research participant discloses sensitive personal information while a CHW is present. The author describes concerns about whether CHWs should bridge the gap between communities and researchers and whether their presence during data collection represents a … [Read more...] about Community gatekeepers and the conundrum of confidentiality and coercion
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Rapid literature review: Community health workers
CHWs performed as key actors during the Ebola, Zika, and Marburg outbreaks. Shuchi Srinivasan and Radhika Arora surveyed research examining barriers and facilitators to CHW-based responses to these outbreaks. Some barriers included gaps in knowledge and skills, failure to address PPE-related needs among CHWs, and the mental health impacts of living through a pandemic. … [Read more...] about Rapid literature review: Community health workers
Learning from community health worker programs, big and small
CHW programs demonstrate the potential for great impacts on population health, but interventions sometimes fail as a result of poor transitioning from program piloting to full scale implementation. Stephen Hodgins outlines some of the reasons these programs fail or succeed. He recommends expansions of research conducted both during intervention piloting and also at broad … [Read more...] about Learning from community health worker programs, big and small
Which intervention design factors influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review
National health systems increasingly rely on CHW programming to support population health. Maryse Kok surveyed 140 research studies to uncover CHW program designs that contribute to high CHW performance. Results indicated a broad array of contributing factors, including incentives, frequency of supervision, and high community involvement. … [Read more...] about Which intervention design factors influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review
Community health workers in Hawai’i: A scoping review and framework analysis of existing evidence
David A Stupplebeen and his colleagues surveyed the literature to understand the scope of CHW’s role and responsibilities in Hawai’i. Responsibilities and roles generally reflected those outlined in the CDC’s ten essential public health services framework and community health worker core consensus project roles. The researchers called for a broader investigation of the number … [Read more...] about Community health workers in Hawai’i: A scoping review and framework analysis of existing evidence
