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Gandhi DBC, Baggio JAO, D'Souza JV, Urimubenshi G, Vijayanand PJ. Global Access to Stroke Rehabilitation: A Narrative Synthesis of Comparative Highlights. Stroke 2024; 55:e161-e164. [PMID: 38634278 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.045116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dorcas B C Gandhi
- Department of Neurology and College of Physiotherapy (D.B.C.G.), Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
- Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Health Education, Karnataka, India (D.B.C.G.)
| | - Jussara A O Baggio
- Medical School of Federal University of Alagoas, Arapiraca, Brazil (J.A.O.B.)
| | - Jennifer V D'Souza
- Department of Physiotherapy, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (J.V.D.)
| | - Gerard Urimubenshi
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali (G.U.)
| | - Pranay J Vijayanand
- Department of Neurology (P.J.V.), Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
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Desmond N, Henrion MYR, Gondwe M, O’Byrne T, Iroh Tam PY, Nyirenda D, Pollock L, Majamanda MD, Makwero M, Geldof M, Dube Q, Phiri C, Banda C, Kachala R, Heyderman PRS, Masesa C, Lufesi N, Lalloo DG. Improving care pathways for children with severe illness through implementation of the ASPIRE mHealth primary ETAT package in Malawi. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002786. [PMID: 38683833 PMCID: PMC11057765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Providing emergency care in low resource settings relies on delivery by lower cadres of health workers (LCHW). We describe the development, implementation and mixed methods evaluation of a mobile health (mHealth) triage algorithm based on the WHO Emergency, Triage, Assessment, and Treatment (ETAT) for primary-level care. We conducted an observational study design of implementation research. Key stakeholders were engaged throughout implementation. Clinicians and LCHW at eight primary health centres in Blantyre district were trained to use an mHealth algorithm for triage. An mHealth patient surveillance system monitored patients from presentation through referral to tertiary and final outcome. A total of 209,174 children were recorded by ETAT between April 2017 and September 2018, and 155,931 had both recorded mHealth and clinician triage outcome data. Concordance between mHealth triage by lower cadres of HCW and clinician assessment was 81·6% (95% CI [81·4, 81·8]) over all outcomes (kappa: 0·535 (95% CI [0·530, 0·539]). Concordance for mHealth emergency triage was 0.31 with kappa 0.42. The most common mHealth recorded emergency sign was breathing difficulty (74·1% 95% CI [70·1, 77·9]) and priority sign was raised temperature (76·2% (95% CI [75·9, 76·6]). A total of 1,644 referrals out of 3,004 (54·7%) successfully reached the tertiary site. Both providers and carers expressed high levels of satisfaction with the mHealth ETAT pathway. An mHealth triage algorithm can be used by LCHWs with moderate concordance with clinician triage. Implementation of ETAT through an mHealth algorithm documented successful referrals from primary to tertiary, but half of referred patients did not reach the tertiary site. Potential harms of such systems, such as cases requiring referral being missed during triage, require further evaluation. The ASPIRE mHealth primary ETAT approach can be used to prioritise acute illness and support future resource planning within both district and national health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Desmond
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Y. R. Henrion
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mtisunge Gondwe
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Thomasena O’Byrne
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Nyirenda
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Louisa Pollock
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Maureen Daisy Majamanda
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Martha Makwero
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Queen Dube
- Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Chimwemwe Phiri
- Department of Anthropology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Chimwemwe Banda
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Prof Robert S. Heyderman
- Research Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Clemens Masesa
- Social Sciences Research Group, and Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - David G. Lalloo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Nida S, Tyas ASA, Putri NE, Larasanti A, Widoyopi AA, Sumayyah R, Listiana S, Espressivo A. A systematic review of the types, workload, and supervision mechanism of community health workers: lessons learned for Indonesia. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:82. [PMID: 38468218 PMCID: PMC10926673 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02319-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) have demonstrated capability to improve various health indicators, however, many programmes require support in meeting their objectives due to subpar performance and a high rate of CHW attrition. This systematic review investigated the types of CHWs, their workloads, and supervision practices that contribute to their performance in different countries. METHODS The search was carried out in November 2022 in Medline, Embase, and Neliti for studies published in Indonesian or English between 1986 and 2022 that reported public health services delivered by CHWs who live and serve the community where they live but are not considered health professionals. The findings were synthesised using a thematic analysis to assess key factors influencing the performance of CHWs. RESULTS Sixty eligible articles were included in this review. CHWs were responsible for more than two diseases (n = 35) and up to fifteen, with more than eighteen activities. Their roles covered the human life cycle, from preparation for pregnancy, care for newborns, health for children, adolescents, and productive age to elderly individuals. They were also involved in improving environmental health, community empowerment, and other social issues hindering access to health services. They carried out promotive, preventive, and curative interventions. The CHW-population ratio varied from eight to tens of thousands of people. Some CHWs did not have a clear supervision system. Challenges that were often faced by CHWs included inappropriate incentives, inadequate facilities, insufficient mentoring, and supervision, many roles, and a broad catchment area. Many studies revealed that CHWs felt overburdened and stressed. They needed help to balance their significant work and domestic tasks. CONCLUSIONS Effective planning that considered the scope of work of CHWs in proportion to their responsibilities and the provision of necessary facilities were crucial factors in improving the performance of CHWs. Supportive supervision and peer-supervision methods are promising, however, any CHW supervision required a detailed protocol. This systematic review emphasised the opportunity for CHW management system improvement in Indonesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofwatun Nida
- Research and Policy Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Agatha Swasti Ayuning Tyas
- Primary Health Care Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nidya Eka Putri
- Primary Health Care Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ayudina Larasanti
- Research and Policy Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aldhea Ayu Widoyopi
- Primary Health Care Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rima Sumayyah
- Primary Health Care Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Saetia Listiana
- Primary Health Care Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aufia Espressivo
- Research and Policy Division, Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Jakarta, Indonesia
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Nyondo-Mipando AL, Chirwa M, Salimu S, Kumitawa A, Chinkonde JR, Chimuna TJ, Dohlsten M, Chikwapulo B, Senbete M, Gohar F, Hailegebriel TD, Jackson D. Exploring and prioritising strategies for improving uptake of postnatal care services in Thyolo, Malawi: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002992. [PMID: 38446818 PMCID: PMC10917263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Although postnatal care services form a critical component of the cascade of care in maternal, newborn, and child health the uptake of these services has remained low worldwide. This study explored and prioritised the strategies for optimising the uptake of postnatal care (PNC) services in Malawi. A qualitative descriptive study followed by nominal group techniques was conducted at three health facilities in Malawi from July to December 2020 and in October 2021. We conducted focus group discussions among postnatal mothers, fathers, healthcare workers, elderly women, and grandmothers. We conducted in-depth interviews with midwives and key health managers. Nominal group techniques were used to prioritise the main strategies for the provision of PNC. The demand strategies include appointment date reminders, provision of free health passport books, community awareness campaigns, and involvement of men in the services. The supply strategies included training health providers, improving clinic operations: task-shifting and hours of operation, having infrastructure for the services, and linkage to other services. Having services delivered near end-user residences was a crosscutting strategy. Refresher training and improvement in the clinic operations especially on hours of operation, appointment date reminders, and linkage to care were the prioritised strategies. There is a need to use acceptable and contextualised strategies to optimise the uptake and delivery of postnatal care services. Educating the healthcare workers and the community on postnatal services is key to increasing the demand and supply of the services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Marumbo Chirwa
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Sangwani Salimu
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Andrew Kumitawa
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Martin Dohlsten
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Tedbabe D. Hailegebriel
- Health Section, Programme Division, UNICEF Headquarters, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Debra Jackson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Franz L, Viljoen M, Askew S, Brown M, Dawson G, Di Martino JM, Sapiro G, Sebolai K, Seris N, Shabalala N, Stahmer A, Turner EL, de Vries PJ. Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa (ACACIA): Protocol for a type 1-hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0291883. [PMID: 38215154 PMCID: PMC10786379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While early autism intervention can significantly improve outcomes, gaps in implementation exist globally. These gaps are clearest in Africa, where forty percent of the world's children will live by 2050. Task-sharing early intervention to non-specialists is a key implementation strategy, given the lack of specialists in Africa. Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) are a class of early autism intervention that can be delivered by caregivers. As a foundational step to address the early autism intervention gap, we adapted a non-specialist delivered caregiver coaching NDBI for the South African context, and pre-piloted this cascaded task-sharing approach in an existing system of care. OBJECTIVES First, we will test the effectiveness of the caregiver coaching NDBI compared to usual care. Second, we will describe coaching implementation factors within the Western Cape Department of Education in South Africa. METHODS This is a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid design; assessor-blinded, group randomized controlled trial. Participants include 150 autistic children (18-72 months) and their caregivers who live in Cape Town, South Africa, and those involved in intervention implementation. Early Childhood Development practitioners, employed by the Department of Education, will deliver 12, one hour, coaching sessions to the intervention group. The control group will receive usual care. Distal co-primary outcomes include the Communication Domain Standard Score (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition) and the Language and Communication Developmental Quotient (Griffiths Scales of Child Development, Third Edition). Proximal secondary outcome include caregiver strategies measured by the sum of five items from the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory. We will describe key implementation determinants. RESULTS Participant enrolment started in April 2023. Estimated primary completion date is March 2027. CONCLUSION The ACACIA trial will determine whether a cascaded task-sharing intervention delivered in an educational setting leads to meaningful improvements in communication abilities of autistic children, and identify implementation barriers and facilitators. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05551728 in Clinical Trial Registry (https://clinicaltrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Franz
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Marisa Viljoen
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Sandy Askew
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Musaddiqah Brown
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - J Matias Di Martino
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Guillermo Sapiro
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Katlego Sebolai
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Noleen Seris
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Nokuthula Shabalala
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Aubyn Stahmer
- Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth L Turner
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Petrus J de Vries
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Franz L, Viljoen M, Askew S, Brown M, Dawson G, Di Martino JM, Sapiro G, Sebolai K, Seris N, Shabalala N, Stahmer A, Turner EL, de Vries PJ. Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa (ACACIA): Protocol for a type 1-hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.10.23295331. [PMID: 37745535 PMCID: PMC10516098 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.10.23295331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background While early autism intervention can significantly improve outcomes, gaps in implementation exist globally. These gaps are clearest in Africa, where forty percent of the world's children will live by 2050. Task-sharing early intervention to non-specialists is a key implementation strategy, given the lack of specialists in Africa. Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) are a class of early autism intervention that can be delivered by caregivers. As a foundational step to address the early autism intervention gap, we adapted a non-specialist delivered caregiver coaching NDBI for the South African context, and pre-piloted this cascaded task-sharing approach in an existing system of care. Objectives First, we will test the effectiveness of the caregiver coaching NDBI compared to usual care. Second, we will describe coaching implementation factors within the Western Cape Department of Education in South Africa. Methods This is a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid design; assessor-blinded, group randomized controlled trial. Participants include 150 autistic children (18-72 months) and their caregivers who live in Cape Town, South Africa, and those involved in intervention implementation. Early Childhood Development practitioners, employed by the Department of Education, will deliver 12, one hour, coaching sessions to the intervention group. The control group will receive usual care. Distal co-primary outcomes include the Communication Domain Standard Score (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition) and the Language and Communication Developmental Quotient (Griffiths Scales of Child Development, Third Edition). Proximal secondary outcome include caregiver strategies measured by the sum of five items from the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory. We will describe key implementation determinants. Results Participant enrolment started in April 2023. Estimated primary completion date is March 2027. Conclusion The ACACIA trial will determine whether a cascaded task-sharing intervention delivered in an educational setting leads to meaningful improvements in communication abilities of autistic children, and identify implementation barriers and facilitators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Franz
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Marisa Viljoen
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Sandy Askew
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Musaddiqah Brown
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Geraldine Dawson
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Matias Di Martino
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Guillermo Sapiro
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katlego Sebolai
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Noleen Seris
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Nokuthula Shabalala
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Aubyn Stahmer
- Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, MIND Institute, University of California Davis, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Turner
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Petrus J de Vries
- Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA), Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Sensoy Bahar O, Byansi W, Nabayinda J, Kiyingi J, Namatovu P, Embaye F, McKay MM, Hoagwood K, Ssewamala FM. "I decided to participate….because I saw it as benefiting our community and families": a qualitative study of lay providers' experiences with delivering an evidence-based mental health intervention for families in Uganda. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:24. [PMID: 37605260 PMCID: PMC10440911 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00593-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and adolescents who live in resource-limited communities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience significant mental health problems, including behavioral problems. In SSA, one of the most significant impediments to expanding services is a scarcity of mental health specialists. Task-shifting can effectively solve the mental health care gap in low-resource settings, yet it is underutilized in child and adolescent mental health. Moreover, the experiences of lay providers are understudied in global mental health, despite their potential impact on intervention effectiveness. In this study, we examined the experiences of community health workers and parent peers with the task-shifting of an evidence-based family strengthening intervention in Uganda. METHODS As part of a larger randomized clinical trial, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 facilitators selected using stratified purposive sampling. Interviews explored their decision to participate in the program; experiences with the training; and experiences with intervention delivery. All interviews were conducted in Luganda (local language) and audio recorded. They were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS Despite concerns around lack of previous experience and time commitment, facilitators reported high relevance of the intervention to the families in their communities as well as their own as a motivation to participate. They also identified financial incentives as a motivating factor. These two factors also ensured their attendance at the training. They were satisfied with the content and skills provided during the training and felt prepared to deliver the intervention. During intervention delivery, they enjoyed seeing the families engaged and participating actively in the sessions as well as observing positive changes in the families. Some challenges with family attendance and engagement were noted. The facilitators reported an increased sense of self-efficacy and competence over time; and expressed high satisfaction with supervision. CONCLUSION Facilitators' positive experiences point to the high acceptability and appropriateness of task-shifting this intervention in low-resource settings. As the global mental health field continues to be interested in task-shifting interventions to lay providers, successful examples should be studied so that evidence-based models can be put in place to support them through the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - William Byansi
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Phionah Namatovu
- International Center for Child Health and Development Field Office, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Fithi Embaye
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Mary M McKay
- Office of the Provost, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Aron MB, Ndambo MK, Munyaneza F, Mulwafu M, Makungwa H, Nhlema B, Connolly E. A time-motion study of community health workers delivering community-based primary health care in Neno District, Malawi. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2023; 21:51. [PMID: 37365561 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-023-00839-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Community health workers (CHWs) are vital resources in delivering community-based primary health care, especially in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). However, few studies have investigated detailed time and task assessments of CHW's work. We conducted a time-motion study to evaluate CHWs' time on health conditions and specific tasks in Neno District, Malawi. METHODS We conducted a descriptive quantitative study utilizing a time observation tracker to capture time spent by CHWs on focused health conditions and tasks performed during household visits. We observed 64 CHWs between 29 June and 20 August 2020. We computed counts and median to describe CHW distribution, visit type, and time spent per health condition and task. We utilized Mood's median test to compare the median time spent at a household during monthly visits with the program design standard time. We used pairwise median test to test differences in median time duration for health conditions and assigned tasks. RESULTS We observed 660 CHW visits from 64 CHWs, with 95.2% (n = 628) of the visits as monthly household visits. The median time for a monthly household visit was 34 min, statistically less than the program design time of 60 min (p < 0.001). While the CHW program focused on eight disease areas, pretesting with the observation tool showed that CHWs were engaged in additional health areas like COVID-19. Of the 3043 health area touches by CHWs observed, COVID-19, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) had the highest touches (19.3%, 17.6%, and 16.6%, respectively). The median time spent on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and NCDs was statistically higher than in other health areas (p < 0.05). Of 3813 tasks completed by CHWs, 1640 (43%) were on health education and promotion. A significant difference was observed in the median time spent on health education, promotion, and screening compared to other tasks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that CHWs spend the most time on health education, promotion, and screening per programmatic objectives but, overall, less time than program design. CHWs deliver care for a broader range of health conditions than the programmatic design indicates. Future studies should examine associations between time spent and quality of care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moses Banda Aron
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Malawi.
| | | | | | - Manuel Mulwafu
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Malawi
| | - Henry Makungwa
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Malawi
| | | | - Emilia Connolly
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Malawi
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, United States of America
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45529, United States of America
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9
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Astale T, Abebe T, Mitike G. Workload and emerging challenges of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282717. [PMID: 36913362 PMCID: PMC10010520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) play an important role in improving access to health services to a broader population; particularly to communities living in remote areas. However, the productivity of CHWs is affected by the workload they have. We aimed to summarize and present CHWs' perceived workload in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase). A search strategy customized for the three electronic databases was developed using the two key terms of the review (CHWs and workload). Primary studies conducted in LMICs that explicitly measured workload of CHWs and published in English were included, without date restrictions. Methodological quality of the articles was assessed by two reviewers independently using mixed-methods appraisal tool. We applied a convergent integrated approach to synthesize the data. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42021291133. RESULTS Of 632 unique records, 44 met our inclusion criteria, and 43 (20 qualitative, 13 mixed-methods, and 10 quantitative studies) passed the methodological quality assessment and were included in this review. In 97.7% (n = 42) of the articles, CHWs reported that they have a high workload. Having multiple tasks was the most commonly reported subcomponent of workload, followed by lack of transport; which was reported in 77.6% (n = 33) and 25.6% (n = 11) of the articles respectively. CONCLUSION CHWs in LMICs reported that they have a high workload; mainly related to having to manage multiple tasks and the lack of transport to access households. Program managers need to make careful consideration when additional tasks are shifted to CHWs and the practicability to be performed in the environment they work in. Further research is also required to make a comprehensive measure of the workload of CHWs in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tigist Astale
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tsegereda Abebe
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Getnet Mitike
- International Institute for Primary Health Care-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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10
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Hampshire K, Mariwah S, Amoako-Sakyi D, Hamill H. “ It is very difficult in this business if you want to have a good conscience”: pharmaceutical governance and on-the-ground ethical labour in Ghana. Glob Bioeth 2022; 33:103-121. [PMID: 35912379 PMCID: PMC9331207 DOI: 10.1080/11287462.2022.2103899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The governance of pharmaceutical medicines entails complex ethical decisions that should, in theory, be the responsibility of democratically accountable government agencies. However, in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), regulatory and health systems constraints mean that many people still lack access to safe, appropriate and affordable medication, posing significant ethical challenges for those working on the “front line”. Drawing on 18 months of fieldwork in Ghana, we present three detailed case studies of individuals in this position: an urban retail pharmacist, a rural over-the-counter medicine retailer, and a local inspector. Through these case studies, we consider the significant burden of “ethical labour” borne by those operating “on the ground”, who navigate complex moral, legal and business imperatives in real time and with very real consequences for those they serve. The paper ends with a reflection on the tensions between abstract, generalised ethical frameworks based on high-level principles, and a pragmatic, contingent ethics-in-practice that foregrounds immediate individual needs – a tension rooted in the gap between the theory and the reality of pharmaceutical governance that shifts the burden of ethical labour downwards and perpetuates long-term public health risks.
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11
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MacPherson EE, Reynolds J, Sanudi E, Nkaombe A, Phiri C, Mankhomwa J, Dixon J, Chandler CIR. Understanding antimicrobial resistance through the lens of antibiotic vulnerabilities in primary health care in rural Malawi. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:2630-2646. [PMID: 34932915 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.2015615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The diminishing effectiveness of antimicrobials raises serious concerns for human health. While policy makers grapple to reduce the overuse of antimicrobial medicines to stem the rise of antimicrobial resistance, insufficient attention has been paid to how this applies to low-resource contexts. We provide an in-depth portrayal of antimicrobial prescribing at primary health care level in rural Chikwawa District, Malawi. Ethnographic fieldwork took place over 18 months (2018-2020). We surveyed 22 health facilities in the district, observed 1348 health worker-patient consultations, and carried out 49 in-depth interviews with staff and patients. Care was centred around provision of an antimicrobial. Amid chronic lack of essential medicines and other resources, clinic interactions were tightly scripted, providing patients little time to question or negotiate their treatment. We develop the concept of 'antibiotic vulnerabilities' to reveal multiple ways in which provision of antimicrobials in rural Malawi impacts care in conditions of extreme scarcity. Antibiotics are central and essential to primary care. As targets for optimal antimicrobial prescribing take a more central role in global policy, close attention is required of the ramifications for the delivery of care to ensure that efforts to stem resistance do not undermine the goal of improved health for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor E MacPherson
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Justin Dixon
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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12
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Chinkhumba J, Low D, Ziphondo E, Msowoya L, Rao D, Smith JS, Schouten E, Mwapasa V, Gadama L, Barnabas R, Chinula L, Tang JH. Assessing community health workers' time allocation for a cervical cancer screening and treatment intervention in Malawi: a time and motion study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1196. [PMID: 36151553 PMCID: PMC9508781 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08577-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) are essential field-based personnel and increasingly used to deliver priority interventions to achieve universal health coverage. Existing literature allude to the potential for detrimental effects of multi-tasking CHWs. This study objective was to assess the impact of integrating cervical cancer screening and prevention therapy (CCSPT) with family planning (FP) on time utilization among CHWs. METHODS A time and motion study was conducted in 7 health facilities in Malawi. Data was collected at baseline between October-July 2019, and 12 months after CCSPT implementation between July and August 2021. CHWs trained to deliver CCSPT were continuously observed in real time while their activities were timed by independent observers. We used paired sample t-test to assess pre-post differences in average hours CHWs spent on the following key activities, before and after CCSPT implementation: clinical and preventive care; administration; FP; and non-work-related tasks. Regression models were used to ascertain impact of CCSPT on average durations CHWs spent on key activities. RESULTS Thirty-seven (n = 37) CHWs were observed. Their mean age and years of experience were 42 and 17, respectively. Overall, CHWs were observed for 323 hours (inter quartile range: 2.8-5.5). Compared with the period before CCSPT, the proportion of hours CHWs spent on clinical and preventive care, administration and non-work-related activities were reduced by 13.7, 8.7 and 34.6%, respectively. CHWs spent 75% more time on FP services after CCSPT integration relative to the period before CCSPT. The provision of CCSPT resulted in less time that CHWs devoted towards clinical and preventive care but this reduction was not significant. Following CCPST, CHWs spent significantly few hours on non-work-related activities. CONCLUSION Introduction of CCSPT was not very detrimental to pre-existing community services. CHWs managed their time ensuring additional efforts required for CCSPT were not at the expense of essential activities. The programming and policy implications are that multi-tasking CHWs with CCSPT will not have substantial opportunity costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jobiba Chinkhumba
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi. .,Health Economics and Policy Unit, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Dorothy Low
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | | | | | - Darcy Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Jennifer S Smith
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Victor Mwapasa
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Luis Gadama
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Ruanne Barnabas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lameck Chinula
- UNC Project, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Department of OB-GYN, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer H Tang
- UNC Project, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Department of OB-GYN, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Laar AS, Harris ML, Shifti DM, Loxton D. Perspectives of health care professionals’ on delivering mHealth sexual and reproductive health services in rural settings in low-and-middle-income countries: a qualitative systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1141. [PMID: 36085027 PMCID: PMC9461099 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08512-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In low to middle income countries (LMICs) with limited health care providers (HCPs) and health infrastructure, digital technologies are rapidly being adopted to help augment service delivery. In this sphere, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are increasingly leveraging mobile health (mHealth) technologies to improve service and information provision in rural areas. This systematic review aimed to identify HCPs perspectives on barriers to, and facilitators of, mobile phone based SRH services and information in rural areas of LMICs from current literature.
Methods
Searches were conducted using the following databases: Medline, Scopus, PsychINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, twelve full text qualitative studies published in English between January 2000 and December 2020 were included. The methodological quality of papers was assessed by two authors using the critical skills appraisal programme and synthesized using the narrative thematic analysis approach.
Results
Positive HCPs experiences surrounding the provision of mHealth based SRH services in LMICs included saving consultation time, ability to shift tasks, reduction in travel costs, easy referrals and follow up on clients, convenience in communicating health information confidentially, and the ability to consult groups of clients remotely rather than face-to-face. Barriers to the provision of mHealth reported by HCPs included lack of technological infrastructure, unreliable networks, limited power, the cost of mobile airtime/data and mobile phones and limited technological literacy or skills.
Conclusions
Implementing innovative mHealth based SRH services could bridge a service provision and access gap of SRH information and services in rural areas of LMICs. Despite the advantages of this technology, several challenges associated with delivering mHealth SRH services need to be urgently addressed to enable scale-up and integration of sexual and reproductive mHealth into rural health systems.
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14
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Oresanya O, Phillips A, Okereke E, Ahmadu A, Ibinaiye T, Marasciulo M, Ward C, Adesoro O, Mohammed R, Nikau J, Isokpunwu CO, Inname MA, Counihan H, Baker K, Maxwell K, Smith H. Co-implementing vitamin A supplementation with seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Sokoto State, Nigeria: a feasibility and acceptability study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:871. [PMID: 35791014 PMCID: PMC9258179 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08264-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bi-annual high dose vitamin A supplements administered to children aged 6–59 months can significantly reduce child mortality, but vitamin A supplementation (VAS) coverage is low in Nigeria. The World Health Organization recommends that VAS be integrated into other public health programmes which are aimed at improving child survival. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) provides a ready platform for VAS integration to improve health outcomes. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of integrating VAS with SMC in one local government area in Sokoto State. Methods A concurrent QUAN-QUAL mixed methods study was used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of co-implementing VAS with SMC in one LGA of Sokoto state. Existing SMC implementation tools and job aids were revised and SMC and VAS were delivered using a door-to-door approach. VAS and SMC coverage were subsequently assessed using questionnaires administered to 188 and 197 households at baseline and endline respectively. The qualitative component involved key informant interviews and focus group discussions with policymakers, programme officials and technical partners to explore feasibility and acceptability. Thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data. Results At endline, the proportion of children who received at least one dose of VAS in the last six months increased significantly from 2 to 59% (p < 0.001). There were no adverse effects on the coverage of SMC delivery with 70% eligible children reached at baseline, increasing to 76% (p = 0.412) at endline. There was no significant change (p = 0.264) in the quality of SMC, measured by proportion of children receiving their first dose as directly observed treatment (DOT), at baseline (54%) compared to endline (68%). The qualitative findings are presented as two overarching themes relating to feasibility and acceptability of the integrated VAS-SMC strategy, and within each, a series of sub-themes describe study participants’ views of important considerations in implementing the strategy. Conclusion This study showed that it is feasible and acceptable to integrate VAS with SMC delivery in areas of high seasonal malaria transmission such as northern Nigeria, where SMC campaigns are implemented. SMC-VAS integrated campaigns can significantly increase vitamin A coverage but more research is required to demonstrate the feasibility of this integration in different settings and on a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jamilu Nikau
- National Malaria Elimination Programme, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Kevin Baker
- Malaria Consortium United Kingdom, London, UK
| | | | - Helen Smith
- Malaria Consortium United Kingdom, London, UK
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15
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Factors influencing attraction and retention of frontline health workers in remote and rural areas in Nigeria: a discrete choice experiment. J Public Health Policy 2022; 43:347-359. [DOI: 10.1057/s41271-022-00351-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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16
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“Mothers will be lucky if utmost receive a single scheduled postnatal home visit”: An exploratory qualitative study, Northern Ethiopia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265301. [PMID: 35353832 PMCID: PMC8967047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Postnatal home visits (PNHVs) have been endorsed as strategy for delivery of postnatal care (PNC) to reduce newborn mortality and improve maternal outcomes. Despite the important role of the Health Extension Workers (HEWs) in improving the overall healthcare coverage, PNHV remains as a missed opportunity in rural Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of scheduled postnatal home visits in Northern Ethiopia. Methods We conducted an exploratory qualitative study on a total of 16 in-depth interviews with HEWs and mothers who gave birth one year prior to the study. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted with HEWs and key informant interviews were conducted with women development group leaders, supervisors, and healthcare authorities from April to June 2019 in two rural districts of Northern Ethiopia. Discussions and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim in the local language (Tigrigna) and translated into English. The translated scripts were thematically coded using Atlas ti scientific software. Field notes were also taken during the discussion and while conducting the interviews. Results Health system factors, community context, and individual level factors were considered as the barriers and facilitators of scheduled PNHVs. Leadership, governance, management, support and supervision, referral linkages, overwhelming workload, capacity building, logistics and supplies are the major sub-themes identified as health system factors. Physical characteristics like geographical location and topography, distance, and coverage of the catchment; and community support and participation like support from women’s development groups (WDGs), awareness of the community on the presence of the service and cultural and traditional beliefs were community contexts that affect PNHVs. Self-motivation to support and intrinsic job satisfaction were individual level factors that were considered as barriers and facilitators. Conclusion The finding of this study suggested that the major barriers of postnatal home visits were poor attention of healthcare authorities of the government bodies, lack of effective supervision, poor functional linkages, inadequate logistics and supplies, unrealistic catchment area coverage, poor community participation and support, and lack of motivation of HEWs. Henceforth, to achieve the scheduled PNHV in rural Ethiopia, there should be strong political commitment and healthcare authorities should provide attention to postnatal care both at facility and home with a strong controlling system.
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17
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Manjunath U, Sarala R, Rajendra D, Deepashree MR, Chokshi M, Mokashi T, N. MS. Assessment of Workload of ASHAs: A Multi-stakeholder Perspective Study for Task-sharing and Task-shifting. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09720634221079084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) programme has proven to be cost-effective and successful in addressing the growing shortage of health workers and reaching the vulnerable. ASHA’s contribution towards the improvement in maternal and child health and other health programmes at the community level is reported and acknowledged widely in literature. However, nearly 16 years into the introduction of ASHA, challenges in terms of workload, fatigue, poor work–life balance and low levels of compensation have emerged. Aim: To assess the workload on ASHAs, impact of their responsibilities on their quality of life and the potential for structured task sharing/shifting among other healthcare workers. Methodology: The study used a mixed-method approach with data and source triangulation. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to collect the data. Qualitative research was carried out to explore ASHAs’ and stakeholders’ perspectives, and a thematic analysis was undertaken using NVivo-12. ASHAs’ quality of life was also measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO QOL)-BREF. The study was carried out in three districts of Karnataka: Mysuru, Raichur and Koppala. Results: The majority of ASHAs reported that they experience work burden in terms of population coverage, extended hours of work and additional tasks. Lack of access to transportation, inadequate support from other healthcare personnel and delayed payment of incentives add to them often feeling overworked and underpaid. The research also elicited perspectives on ASHAs’ work from different stakeholders. Findings from the study emphasise the necessity for sharing/shifting of selected tasks among other frontline health workers based on complexity and capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Manjunath
- Institute of Health Management Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - R. Sarala
- Institute of Health Management Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - D. Rajendra
- Institute of Health Management Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - M. R. Deepashree
- Institute of Health Management Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Mythri Shree N.
- Institute of Health Management Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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18
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Ndambo MK, Munyaneza F, Aron MB, Nhlema B, Connolly E. Qualitative assessment of community health workers' perspective on their motivation in community-based primary health care in rural Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:179. [PMID: 35148772 PMCID: PMC8840069 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07558-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community Health Workers (CHWs) have a positive impact on the provision of community-based primary health care through screening, treatment, referral, psychosocial support, and accompaniment. With a broad scope of work, CHW programs must balance the breadth and depth of tasks to maintain CHW motivation for high-quality care delivery. Few studies have described the CHW perspective on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enhance their programmatic activities. METHODS We utilized an exploratory qualitative study design with CHWs employed in the household model in Neno District, Malawi, to explore their perspectives on intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and dissatisfiers in their work. Data was collected in 8 focus group discussions with 90 CHWs in October 2018 and March-April 2019 in seven purposively selected catchment areas. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using Dedoose. RESULTS Themes of complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors were generated from the perspectives of the CHWs in the focus group discussions. Study results indicate that enabling factors are primarily intrinsic factors such as positive patient outcomes, community respect, and recognition by the formal health care system but can lead to the challenge of increased scope and workload. Extrinsic factors can provide challenges, including an increased scope and workload from original expectations, lack of resources to utilize in their work, and rugged geography. However, a positive work environment through supportive relationships between CHWs and supervisors enables the CHWs. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated enabling factors and challenges for CHW performance from their perspective within the dual-factor theory. We can mitigate challenges through focused efforts to limit geographical distance, manage workload, and strengthen CHW support to reinforce their recognition and trust. Such programmatic emphasis can focus on enhancing motivational factors found in this study to improve the CHWs' experience in their role. The engagement of CHWs, the communities, and the formal health care system is critical to improving the care provided to the patients and communities, along with building supportive systems to recognize the work done by CHWs for the primary health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabien Munyaneza
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Moses Banda Aron
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Basimenye Nhlema
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Emilia Connolly
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, PO Box 56, Neno, Blantyre, Malawi.,Division of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.,Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45529, USA
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19
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Bickton FM, Shannon H. Barriers and Enablers to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2022; 17:141-153. [PMID: 35046649 PMCID: PMC8763198 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s348663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Low- and middle-income countries bear a disproportionately high burden of global morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended as a core intervention in the management of people with chronic respiratory diseases. However, the intervention remains poorly accessed/utilised globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Aim This qualitative study explored barriers and enablers to pulmonary rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries from the perspective of healthcare professionals with pulmonary rehabilitation experience in these settings. Methods Online-based semi-structured in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals were undertaken to data saturation, exploring lived barriers and enablers to pulmonary rehabilitation in their low- or middle-income country. Anonymised interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of seven healthcare professionals from seven low- and middle-income countries representing Africa, Asia, and South America were interviewed. They included five physiotherapists (four females), one family physician (male), and one pulmonologist (female). Themes for barriers to pulmonary rehabilitation included limited resources, low awareness, coronavirus disease 2019, and patient access-related costs. Themes for enablers included local adaptation, motivated patients, coronavirus disease 2019 (which spanned both enablers and barriers), better awareness/recognition, provision of PR training, and resource support. Conclusion Barriers to pulmonary rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries include limited resources, low awareness, coronavirus disease 2019, and patient access-related costs. Enablers include local adaptation, motivated patients, coronavirus disease 2019 (which spanned both enablers and barriers), better awareness/recognition, provision of PR training, and resource support. Successful implementation of these enablers will require engagement with multiple stakeholders. The findings of this study are a necessary step towards developing strategies that can overcome the existing pulmonary rehabilitation evidence-practice gap in low- and middle-income countries and alleviating the burden of chronic respiratory diseases in these countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanuel Meckson Bickton
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Lung Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Harriet Shannon
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Fleming KA, Horton S, Wilson ML, Atun R, DeStigter K, Flanigan J, Sayed S, Adam P, Aguilar B, Andronikou S, Boehme C, Cherniak W, Cheung AN, Dahn B, Donoso-Bach L, Douglas T, Garcia P, Hussain S, Iyer HS, Kohli M, Labrique AB, Looi LM, Meara JG, Nkengasong J, Pai M, Pool KL, Ramaiya K, Schroeder L, Shah D, Sullivan R, Tan BS, Walia K. The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics. Lancet 2021; 398:1997-2050. [PMID: 34626542 PMCID: PMC8494468 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00673-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Horton
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Rifat Atun
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Bertha Aguilar
- Médicos e Investigadores de la Lucha Contra el Cáncer de Mama, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Savvas Andronikou
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - William Cherniak
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annie Ny Cheung
- The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | | | - Lluis Donoso-Bach
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Sarwat Hussain
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hari S Iyer
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikashmi Kohli
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alain B Labrique
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - John G Meara
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Nkengasong
- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Madhukar Pai
- School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Lee Schroeder
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Devanshi Shah
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Kamini Walia
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Delhi, India
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LeBan K, Kok M, Perry HB. Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 9. CHWs' relationships with the health system and communities. Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:116. [PMID: 34641902 PMCID: PMC8506091 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-021-00756-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is the ninth paper in our series, "Community Health Workers at the Dawn of a New Era". Community health workers (CHWs) are in an intermediary position between the health system and the community. While this position provides CHWs with a good platform to improve community health, a major challenge in large-scale CHW programmes is the need for CHWs to establish and maintain beneficial relationships with both sets of actors, who may have different expectations and needs. This paper focuses on the quality of CHW relationships with actors at the local level of the national health system and with communities. METHODS The authors conducted a selective review of journal articles and the grey literature, including case study findings in the 2020 book Health for the People: National CHW Programs from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. They also drew upon their experience working with CHW programmes. RESULTS The space where CHWs form relationships with the health system and the community has various inherent strengths and tensions that can enable or constrain the quality of these relationships. Important elements are role clarity for all actors, working referral systems, and functioning supply chains. CHWs need good interpersonal communication skills, good community engagement skills, and the opportunity to participate in community-based organizations. Communities need to have a realistic understanding of the CHW programme, to be involved in a transparent process for selecting CHWs, and to have the opportunity to participate in the CHW programme. Support and interaction between CHWs and other health workers are essential, as is positive engagement with community members, groups, and leaders. CONCLUSION To be successful, large-scale CHW programmes need well-designed, effective support from the health system, productive interactions between CHWs and health system staff, and support and engagement of the community. This requires health sector leadership from national to local levels, support from local government, and partnerships with community organizations. Large-scale CHW programmes should be designed to enable local flexibility in adjusting to the local community context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryse Kok
- Department of Global Health, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henry B Perry
- Department of International Health, Health Systems Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Glenton C, Javadi D, Perry HB. Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 5. Roles and tasks. Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:128. [PMID: 34641903 PMCID: PMC8506082 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-021-00748-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is the fifth of our 11-paper supplement on "Community Health Workers at the Dawn of a New Era." When planning new community health worker (CHW) roles or expanding existing roles, programme planners need to analyse global and local research evidence and evidence-based guidance on the effectiveness and safety of relevant tasks performed by CHWs. METHODS In this paper, we explore key areas of consideration when selecting roles and tasks; present current knowledge regarding these issues; and suggest how decision-makers could consider these issues when assigning tasks in their setting. This paper draws on the chapter "Community Health Worker Roles and Tasks" in Developing and Strengthening Community Health Worker Programs at Scale: A Reference Guide and Case Studies for Program Managers and Policymakers, as well as on a recently published compendium of 29 case studies of national CHW programmes and on recently published literature pertaining to roles and tasks of CHWs. RESULTS This paper provides a list of questions that aim to help programme planners think about important issues when determining CHW roles and tasks in their setting. Planners need to assess whether the recommended roles and tasks are considered acceptable and appropriate by their target population and by the CHWs themselves and those who support them. Planners also need to think about the practical and organizational implications of each task for their particular setting with regard to training requirements, health systems support, work location, workload, and programme costs. CONCLUSION When planning CHW roles and tasks, planners, programme implementers, and policy-makers should draw from global guidance and research evidence, but they also need to engage with the experiences, needs, and concerns of local communities and health workers. By drawing from both sources of information, they will stand a better chance of developing programmes that are effective in achieving their goals while remaining acceptable to those affected by them, feasible to implement, and sustainable over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Glenton
- Global Health Unit, Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway
- TRS Centre for Rare Disorders, Sunnaas Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
| | - Dena Javadi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Henry B Perry
- Department of International Health, Health Systems Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
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Laurenzi CA, Skeen S, Rabie S, Coetzee BJ, Notholi V, Bishop J, Chademana E, Tomlinson M. Balancing roles and blurring boundaries: Community health workers' experiences of navigating the crossroads between personal and professional life in rural South Africa. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:1249-1259. [PMID: 32885519 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As demand for health services grows, task-shifting to lay health workers has become an attractive solution to address shortages in human resources. Community health workers (CHWs), particularly in low-resource settings, play critical roles in promoting equitable healthcare among underserved populations. However, CHWs often shoulder additional burdens as members of the same communities in which they work. We examined the experiences of a group of CHWs called Mentor Mothers (MMs) working in a maternal and child health programme, navigating the crossroads between personal and professional life in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 10) were conducted by an experienced isiXhosa research assistant, asking MMs questions about their experiences working in their own communities, and documenting benefits and challenges. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English and thematically coded. Emergent themes include balancing roles (positive, affirming aspects of the role) and blurring boundaries (challenges navigating between professional and personal obligations). While many MMs described empowering clients to seek care and drawing strength from being seen as a respected health worker, others spoke about difficulties in adequately addressing clients' needs, and additional burdens they adopted in their personal lives related to the role. We discuss the implications of these findings, on an immediate level (equipping CHWs with self-care and boundary-setting skills), and an intermediate level (introducing opportunities for structured debriefings and emphasising supportive supervision). We also argue that, at a conceptual level, CHW programmes should provide avenues for professionalisation and invest more up-front in their workforce selection, training and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Laurenzi
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sarah Skeen
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Stephan Rabie
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Bronwynè J Coetzee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Vuyolwethu Notholi
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | | | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Knettel BA, Wanda L, Amiri I, Myers J, Fernandez KM, Muiruri C, Watt MH, Mmbaga BT, Relf MV. Assessing the Influence of Community Health Worker Support on Early Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, Anticipated Stigma, and Mental Health Among People Living with HIV in Tanzania. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2021; 35:308-317. [PMID: 34375138 PMCID: PMC8380803 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In many low- and middle-income countries, community health workers (CHWs) support multiple aspects of HIV care, including patient education and counseling, adherence support, and re-engaging patients lost to care. In Tanzania, the Community-Based HIV Services program is a nationwide cohort of CHWs supporting HIV care engagement. We enrolled a prospective cohort study of 80 people initiating HIV care at two Tanzanian clinics and conducted baseline and 3-month follow-up assessments to examine the potential influence of CHW support and other factors on patient early self-reported medication adherence, depression, anxiety, attitudes about medication, and HIV stigma. The vast majority of participants reported maintaining strong antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence during the study and endorsed beliefs that ART is beneficial for them. However, there was high occurrence of likely depression and anxiety disorders in the study sample. Patient contact with CHWs at the clinic was unexpectedly low; fewer than two-thirds of participants were informed about the CHW program and fewer than one-third ever met with a CHW. Among participants who met with a CHW, there was mixed feedback about the helpfulness of the program, and contact with a CHW did not improve medication adherence at 3-month follow-up. Male participants, those with likely depression, and those who lived further from the clinic were significantly more likely to experience adherence challenges. The study findings indicate that CHWs are currently underutilized to provide patient support and may not be producing observable benefits to patients in this setting, representing a missed opportunity to address patient challenges, including depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A. Knettel
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa Wanda
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Ismail Amiri
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - John Myers
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Charles Muiruri
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa H. Watt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Blandina T. Mmbaga
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Michael V. Relf
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Story WT, Pritchard S, Hejna E, Olivas E, Sarriot E. The role of integrated community case management projects in strengthening health systems: case study analysis in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:900-912. [PMID: 33930137 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrated community case management (iCCM) has now been implemented at scale globally. Literature to-date has focused primarily on the effectiveness of iCCM and the systems conditions required to sustain iCCM. In this study, we sought to explore opportunities taken and lost for strengthening health systems through successive iCCM programmes. We employed a systematic, embedded, multiple case study design for three countries-Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique-where Save the Children implemented iCCM programmes between 2009 and 2017. We used textual analysis to code 62 project documents on nine categories of functions of health systems using NVivo 11.0. The document review was supplemented by four key informant interviews. This study makes important contributions to the theoretical understanding of the role of projects in health systems strengthening by not only documenting evidence of systems strengthening in multi-year iCCM projects, but also emphasizing important deficiencies in systems strengthening efforts. Projects operated on a spectrum, ranging from gap-filling interventions, to support, to actual strengthening. While there were natural limits to the influence of a project on the health system, all successive projects found constructive opportunities to try to strengthen systems. Alignment with the Ministry of Health was not always static and simple, and ministries themselves have shown pluralism in their perspectives and orientations. We conclude that systems strengthening remains 'everybody's business' and places demands for realism and transparency on government and the development architecture. While mid-size projects have limited decision space, there is value in better defining where systems strengthening contributions can actually be made. Furthermore, systems strengthening is not solely about macro-level changes, as operational and efficiency gains at meso and micro levels can have value to the system. Claims of 'systems strengthening' are, however, bounded within the quality of evaluation and learning investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Story
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Susannah Pritchard
- Formerly Save the Children, Health Department, 1 St. John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR, UK
| | - Emily Hejna
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Elijah Olivas
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Eric Sarriot
- Formerly Save the Children, Department of Global Health, 899 North Capitol St NE #900, Washington, DC 20002, USA
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Sevene E, Boene H, Vidler M, Valá A, Macuacua S, Augusto O, Fernandes Q, Bique C, Macete E, Sidat M, von Dadelszen P, Munguambe K. Feasibility of task-sharing with community health workers for the identification, emergency management and referral of women with pre-eclampsia, in Mozambique. Reprod Health 2021; 18:145. [PMID: 34229709 PMCID: PMC8259411 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01192-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal mortality is an important public health problem in low-income countries. Delays in reaching health facilities and insufficient health care professionals call for innovative community-level solutions. There is limited evidence on the role of community health workers in the management of pregnancy complications. This study aimed to describe the feasibility of task-sharing the initial screening and initiation of obstetric emergency care for pre-eclampsia/eclampsia from the primary healthcare providers to community health workers in Mozambique and document healthcare facility preparedness to respond to referrals. METHOD The study took place in Maputo and Gaza Provinces in southern Mozambique and aimed to inform the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomized controlled trial. This was a mixed-methods study. The quantitative data was collected through self-administered questionnaires completed by community health workers and a health facility survey; this data was analysed using Stata v13. The qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with various community groups, health care providers, and policymakers. All discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to thematic analysis using QSR NVivo 10. Data collection was complemented by reviewing existing documents regarding maternal health and community health worker policies, guidelines, reports and manuals. RESULTS Community health workers in Mozambique were trained to identify the basic danger signs of pregnancy; however, they have not been trained to manage obstetric emergencies. Furthermore, barriers at health facilities were identified, including lack of equipment, shortage of supervisors, and irregular drug availability. All primary and the majority of secondary-level facilities (57%) do not provide blood transfusions or have surgical capacity, and thus such cases must be referred to the tertiary-level. Although most healthcare facilities (96%) had access to an ambulance for referrals, no transport was available from the community to the healthcare facility. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that task-sharing for screening and pre-referral management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were deemed feasible and acceptable at the community-level, but an effort should be in place to address challenges at the health system level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperança Sevene
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Department of Physiologic Science, Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Helena Boene
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Marianne Vidler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and The Child and Family Research Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Anifa Valá
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Salésio Macuacua
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Orvalho Augusto
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine,, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Cassimo Bique
- Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
- Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Mohsin Sidat
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine,, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Khátia Munguambe
- Maternal Health Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine,, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
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Schaaf M, Warthin C, Freedman L, Topp SM. The community health worker as service extender, cultural broker and social change agent: a critical interpretive synthesis of roles, intent and accountability. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-002296. [PMID: 32546585 PMCID: PMC7299037 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper is a critical interpretive synthesis of community health workers (CHWs) and accountability in low-income and middle-income countries. The guiding questions were: What factors promote or undermine CHWs as accountability agents? (and) Can these factors be intentionally fostered or suppressed to impel health system accountability? We conducted an iterative search that included articles addressing the core issue of CHWs and accountability, and articles addressing ancillary issues that emerged in the initial search, such as 'CHWs and equity.'CHWs are intended to comprise a 'bridge' between community members and the formal health system. This bridge function is described in three key ways: service extender, cultural broker, social change agent. We identified several factors that shape the bridging function CHWs play, and thus, their role in fomenting health system accountability to communities, including the local political context, extent and nature of CHW interactions with other community-based structures, health system treatment of CHWs, community perceptions of CHWs, and extent and type of CHW unionisation and collectivisation.Synthesising these findings, we elaborated several analytic propositions relating to the self-reinforcing nature of the factors shaping CHWs' bridging function; the roles of local and national governance; and the human resource and material capacity of the health system. Importantly, community embeddedness, as defined by acceptability, social connections and expertise, is a crucial attribute of CHW ability to foment local government accountability to communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caitlin Warthin
- Averting Maternal Death and Disability, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lynn Freedman
- Averting Maternal Death and Disability, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Prevention of cervical cancer through two HPV-based screen-and-treat implementation models in Malawi: protocol for a cluster randomized feasibility trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:98. [PMID: 33879259 PMCID: PMC8056631 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00839-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among Malawian women, despite being a largely preventable disease. Implementing a cervical cancer screening and preventive treatment (CCSPT) program that utilizes rapid human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on self-collected cervicovaginal samples for screening and thermal ablation for treatment may achieve greater coverage than current programs that use visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) for screening and cryotherapy for treatment. Furthermore, self-sampling creates the opportunity for community-based screening to increase uptake in populations with low screening rates. Malawi’s public health system utilizes regularly scheduled outreach and village-based clinics to provide routine health services like family planning. Cancer screening is not yet included in these community services. Incorporating self-sampled HPV testing into national policy could address cervical cancer screening barriers in Malawi, though at present the effectiveness, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness still need to be demonstrated. Methods We designed a cluster randomized feasibility trial to determine the effectiveness, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and budget impact of two models for integrating a HPV-based CCSPT program into family planning (FP) services in Malawi: model 1 involves only clinic-based self-sampled HPV testing, whereas model 2 includes both clinic-based and community-based self-sampled HPV testing. Our algorithm involves self-collection of samples for HPV GeneXpert® testing, visual inspection with acetic acid for HPV-positive women to determine ablative treatment eligibility, and same-day thermal ablation for treatment-eligible women. Interventions will be implemented at 14 selected facilities. Our primary outcome will be the uptake of cervical cancer screening and family planning services during the 18 months of implementation, which will be measured through an Endline Household Survey. We will also conduct mixed methods assessments to understand the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the interventions, and a cost analysis to assess budget impact. Discussion Our trial will provide in-depth information on the implementation of clinic-only and clinic-and-community models for integrating self-sampled HPV testing CCSPT with FP services in Malawi. Findings will provide valuable insight for policymakers and implementers in Malawi and other resource-limited settings with high cervical cancer burden. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04286243. Registered on February 26, 2020.
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Hampshire K, Mwase-Vuma T, Alemu K, Abane A, Munthali A, Awoke T, Mariwah S, Chamdimba E, Owusu SA, Robson E, Castelli M, Shkedy Z, Shawa N, Abel J, Kasim A. Informal mhealth at scale in Africa: Opportunities and challenges. WORLD DEVELOPMENT 2021; 140:105257. [PMID: 33814676 PMCID: PMC7903241 DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The extraordinary global growth of digital connectivity has generated optimism that mobile technologies can help overcome infrastructural barriers to development, with 'mobile health' (mhealth) being a key component of this. However, while 'formal' (top-down) mhealth programmes continue to face challenges of scalability and sustainability, we know relatively little about how health-workers are using their own mobile phones informally in their work. Using data from Ghana, Ethiopia and Malawi, we document the reach, nature and perceived impacts of community health-workers' (CHWs') 'informal mhealth' practices, and ask how equitably these are distributed. We implemented a mixed-methods study, combining surveys of CHWs across the three countries, using multi-stage proportional-to-size sampling (N = 2197 total), with qualitative research (interviews and focus groups with CHWs, clients and higher-level stake-holders). Survey data were weighted to produce nationally- or regionally-representative samples for multivariate analysis; comparative thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Our findings confirm the limited reach of 'formal' compared with 'informal' mhealth: while only 15% of CHWs surveyed were using formal mhealth applications, over 97% reported regularly using a personal mobile phone for work-related purposes in a range of innovative ways. CHWs and clients expressed unequivocally enthusiastic views about the perceived impacts of this 'informal health' usage. However, they also identified very real practical challenges, financial burdens and other threats to personal wellbeing; these appear to be borne disproportionately by the lowest-paid cadre of health-workers, especially those serving rural areas. Unlike previous small-scale, qualitative studies, our work has shown that informal mhealth is already happening at scale, far outstripping its formal equivalent. Policy-makers need to engage seriously with this emergent health system, and to work closely with those on the ground to address sources of inequity, without undermining existing good practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Hampshire
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- Corresponding author.
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Napier HG, Baird M, Wong E, Walwyn-Jones E, Garcia ME, Cartagena L, Mngadi N, Vanisaveth V, Sengsavath V, Vilay P, Thongpiou K, Visser T, Cohen JM. Evaluating Vertical Malaria Community Health Worker Programs as Malaria Declines: Learning From Program Evaluations in Honduras and Lao PDR. GLOBAL HEALTH: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021; 9:S98-S110. [PMID: 33727323 PMCID: PMC7971372 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-20-00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Community case management by community health workers has substantially reduced malaria across the Greater Mekong Subregion and Central America. To sustain current and achieve further reductions in malaria, surveillance and delivery platforms must be redesigned to ensure their continued use by key populations. Background: Across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and Central America, governments commonly employ community health workers (CHWs) to improve access to and uptake of malaria services. Many of these networks are vertical in design, organized to extend malaria-only services to those remaining communities in which malaria persists. Methods: Between 2019 and 2020, national ministries of health (MOH) and Clinton Health Access Initiative conducted mixed-methods CHW program evaluations across the GMS and Central America. Routine surveillance and programmatic data were analyzed to quantify CHW contributions to malaria elimination objectives and identify gaps and challenges. Semistructured interviews were conducted with governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders from central to community level. This article draws comparisons between the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) and Honduras CHW program evaluation results to distill broader hypotheses about how vertical CHW programs might evolve as their primary mission nears its end. Results: CHWs contribute substantially to malaria case detection and surveillance, diagnosing and treating 27% of malaria cases in Lao PDR and 55% in the department of Gracias a Dios, Honduras in 2019. In the same year, malaria test positivity neared less than 1% in both countries. In 2019, 80% of CHWs in Lao PDR and 74% in Gracias a Dios, Honduras did not report a single malaria case. From inception, both programs were organized as vertical (malaria-only) CHW programs reliant upon Global Fund financing for malaria commodities, training, supervision and, where applicable, remuneration. Conclusions: Although community case management by CHWs has been highly impactful in reducing malaria cases to near zero, new challenges of acceptability and effectiveness of malaria-only service delivery, feasibility of continued vertical program management, and sustainable financing have emerged. To achieve and sustain reductions in malaria, surveillance and delivery platforms must be redesigned to encourage (and reward) care seeking based on experience of symptoms and not on a patient or caregiver's presumptive diagnosis of disease. By expanding the roles and responsibilities of currently vertical malaria CHWs, malarial interventions can be optimized and sustained. Such a shift will also position existing community-based platforms to be resilient and responsive as epidemiology of disease and community need shift.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evelyn Wong
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Nontokozo Mngadi
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Viengxay Vanisaveth
- Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Ventiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Viengphone Sengsavath
- Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Ventiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Phoutnalong Vilay
- Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Ventiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Kenesay Thongpiou
- Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Ventiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
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Klingberg S, van Sluijs EMF, Jong ST, Draper CE. Can public sector community health workers deliver a nurturing care intervention in South Africa? The Amagugu Asakhula feasibility study. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:60. [PMID: 33640007 PMCID: PMC7912559 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00802-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nurturing care interventions have the potential to promote health and development in early childhood. Amagugu Asakhula was designed to promote developmentally important dietary and movement behaviours among children of preschool age (3–5 years) in South Africa. An initial formative study in Cape Town found the intervention to be feasible and acceptable when delivered by community health workers (CHWs) linked to a community-based organisation. This study evaluated the delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention by CHWs linked to a public sector primary health care facility in Soweto, as this mode of delivery could have more potential for sustainability and scalability. Methods A qualitative design was utilised to assess feasibility, acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, implementation, fidelity and context. CHWs (n = 14) delivered the intervention to caregivers (n = 23) of preschool-age children in Soweto over 6 weeks. Following the completion of the intervention, focus group discussions were held with CHWs and caregivers. Further data were obtained through observations, study records and key informant interviews (n = 5). Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis guided by a process evaluation framework. Results The delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention through CHWs linked to a primary health care facility in Soweto was not found to be feasible due to contextual challenges such as late payment of salaries influencing CHW performance and willingness to deliver the intervention. CHWs expressed dissatisfaction with their general working conditions and were thus reluctant to take on new tasks. Despite barriers to successful delivery, the intervention was well received by both CHWs and caregivers and was considered a good fit with the CHWs’ scope of work. Conclusions Based on these findings, delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention is not recommended through public sector CHWs in South Africa. This feasibility study informs the optimisation of implementation and supports further testing of the intervention’s effectiveness when delivered by CHWs linked to community-based organisations. The present study further demonstrates how implementation challenges can be identified through qualitative feasibility studies and subsequently addressed prior to large-scale trials, avoiding the wasting of research and resources. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-021-00802-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Klingberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Esther M F van Sluijs
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stephanie T Jong
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Catherine E Draper
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Chimukuche RS, Wringe A, Songo J, Hassan F, Luwanda L, Kalua T, Moshabela M, Renju J, Seeley J. Investigating the implementation of differentiated HIV services and implications for pregnant and postpartum women: A mixed methods multi-country study. Glob Public Health 2021; 16:274-287. [PMID: 32726177 PMCID: PMC7612752 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1795221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa has required adaptations to service delivery. We compared national policies on differentiated HIV service delivery with facility-level implementation, and explored provider and user experiences in rural Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa. Four national policies and two World Health Organization guidelines on HIV treatment for pregnant and postpartum women published between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed and summarised. Results were compared with implementation data from surveys undertaken in 34 health facilities. Eighty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant and post-partum women living with HIV, their partners and providers. In 2018, differentiated service policies varied across countries. None specifically accounted for pregnant or postpartum women. Malawian policies endorsed facility-based multi-month scripting for clinically-stable adult ART patients, excluding pregnant or breastfeeding women. In Tanzania and South Africa, national policies proposed community-based and facility-based approaches, for which pregnant women were not eligible. Interview data suggested some implementation of differentiated services for pregnant and postpartum women beyond stipulated policies in all settings. Although these adaptations were appreciated by pregnant and postpartum women, they could lead to frustrations among other users when criteria for fast-track services or multi-month prescriptions were not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison Wringe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Songo
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Karonga, Malawi
| | | | | | - Thoko Kalua
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Mosa Moshabela
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jenny Renju
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Wood S, Seevak E, Bhatia U, McBain R, Nadkarni A. "I will not step back": A Qualitative Study of Lay Mental Health Workers' Experiences in India. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2021; 48:695-706. [PMID: 33452945 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-020-01102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A significant treatment gap exists for mental illnesses across the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Task-sharing, a potentially scalable strategy to bridge the treatment gap, has been shown to be feasible and effective for the treatment of a range of mental illnesses. However, there is a lack of research examining lay mental health workers' experiences in such task-sharing roles. The aim of our study was to understand the barriers and facilitators that lay health workers (LHWs) face in delivering mental healthcare. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 lay mental health workers recruited through maximum variation sampling and 18 stakeholders leading mental health programs at a variety of non-governmental organisations across India. Interviews were semi-structured and data was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Results showed that LHWs perceived barriers and facilitators at three levels: individually (related to personal characteristics and family support, and in their daily work such as in relationship building and supervision), organizationally (for example, related to compensation), and societally (such as encountering gender discrimination and stigma). Each of these areas should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing task-sharing interventions for mental illnesses. As the first qualitative study to explore broad LHW experiences in mental healthcare delivery in a diverse set of programs from a LMIC, this study shows that LHW voices should be central to program design and decision-making for mental health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Wood
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
| | - Emma Seevak
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Urvita Bhatia
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Abhijit Nadkarni
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India.
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Ntopi S, Chirwa E, Maluwa A. Relationship between role stressors, job tasks and job satisfaction among health surveillance assistants in Malawi: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037000. [PMID: 33191250 PMCID: PMC7668364 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the role stressors, sociodemographic characteristics and job tasks of health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and to explore major predictors of role stressors and job satisfaction of HSAs in Malawi. SETTING Data were collected from health centres and hospitals of three Malawi districts of Mangochi, Lilongwe and Mzimba. PARTICIPANTS Respondents were 430 HSAs. 50.20% of them were male, while 49.8% were female. DESIGN A cross-sectional study of the observational correlational design was carried out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Respondents perceptions of job tasks, role stressors and job satisfaction. RESULTS The key findings of this study were role ambiguity and role overload were significantly negatively related to job satisfaction, while role conflict was insignificantly related to job satisfaction. Additionally, the clinical tasks of the HSAs and some of the sociodemographic variables were associated with the role stressors and job satisfaction of the HSAs in Malawi. CONCLUSIONS Since the HSAs clinical tasks were significantly related to all role stressors, there is need by the government of Malawi to design strategies to control the role stressors to ensure increased job performance and job satisfaction among HSAs. Furthermore, studies may be required in the future to assist government to control role stressors among HSAs in Malawi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ntopi
- Faculty of Applied Health Studies, University of Malawi Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Ellen Chirwa
- Faculty of Applied Health Studies, University of Malawi, The Kamuzu College of Nursing, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Alfred Maluwa
- Department of Postgraduate Studies and Outreach, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
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Khumalo GE, Lutge E, Naidoo P, Mashamba-Thompson TP. Barriers and facilitators of rendering HIV services by community health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-synthesis protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037876. [PMID: 33040005 PMCID: PMC7552870 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Community healthcare workers (CHWs) worldwide have been reported to be effective in strengthening the HIV programme by providing services such as adherence support, HIV education and safe sex education as part of their roles. The main aim of this meta-synthesis is to synthesise qualitative evidence on studies that have been conducted in SSA countries to understand the barriers to and facilitators of providing HIV services by CHWs across all settings METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This meta-synthesis will be guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. An initial search was conducted on 15 November 2019 for studies published between 2009 and 2019 using the population exposure outcome nomenclature. We searched the EBSCOHost- (ERIC; Health Source-Nursing/Academic Edition), Google Scholar and PubMed databases for the relevant studies. The Ritchie and Spencer framework will be used for data synthesis and the Supporting the Use of Research Evidence Framework analysis will be used to analyse data. We will conduct critical appraisal on selected studies using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument to limit risk of bias. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This review does not involve any human participants and therefore ethical approval will not be required. We will publish the protocol as well as the findings in any relevant journal and various media namely conferences; symposia, local and international health stakeholders. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020160012. CONCLUSION Evidence from this review will provide synthesised evidence to the utilisation of CHWs in HIV services in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu Eve Khumalo
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Health Sciences, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Lutge
- KwaZulu Natal Department of Health, South African Government, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Praba Naidoo
- Library, University of KwaZulu-Natal - Medical School, Durban, South Africa
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A Rehabilitation Framework for Children Living With HIV in South Africa: Reaching Consensus for a Resource-Poor Community. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2020; 31:228-240. [PMID: 31764208 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although rehabilitation frameworks for adults living with HIV are developing steadily, interventions to ensure the integration of rehabilitation into the routine care of children living with HIV-related disabilities lags. We sought to explore perceptions of, and gain expert consensus on, a rehabilitation framework for children living with HIV. Experts in HIV pediatric care in South Africa engaged in a Delphi survey, based on findings from a context-specific rehabilitation framework for adults. Consensus was determined by an a priori threshold of 80% agreement and an interquartile range of 1 or lower on criteria to be included as essential or useful in the framework. Experts agreed that enhancing access to patient-centered care through decentralization and training of health care and community care workers in the use of disability screening tools at each point of care needed to be included in the framework. Strengthening multiprofessional team collaboration was also seen as fundamental.
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Vo LNQ, Forse RJ, Codlin AJ, Vu TN, Le GT, Do GC, Van Truong V, Dang HM, Nguyen LH, Nguyen HB, Nguyen NV, Levy J, Squire B, Lonnroth K, Caws M. A comparative impact evaluation of two human resource models for community-based active tuberculosis case finding in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:934. [PMID: 32539700 PMCID: PMC7296629 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09042-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To achieve the WHO End TB Strategy targets, it is necessary to detect and treat more people with active TB early. Scale–up of active case finding (ACF) may be one strategy to achieve that goal. Given human resource constraints in the health systems of most high TB burden countries, volunteer community health workers (CHW) have been widely used to economically scale up TB ACF. However, more evidence is needed on the most cost-effective compensation models for these CHWs and their potential impact on case finding to inform optimal scale-up policies. Methods We conducted a two-year, controlled intervention study in 12 districts of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. We engaged CHWs as salaried employees (3 districts) or incentivized volunteers (3 districts) to conduct ACF among contacts of people with TB and urban priority groups. Eligible persons were asked to attend health services for radiographic screening and rapid molecular diagnosis or smear microscopy. Individuals diagnosed with TB were linked to appropriate care. Six districts providing routine NTP care served as control area. We evaluated additional cases notified and conducted comparative interrupted time series (ITS) analyses to assess the impact of ACF by human resource model on TB case notifications. Results We verbally screened 321,020 persons in the community, of whom 70,439 were eligible for testing and 1138 of them started TB treatment. ACF activities resulted in a + 15.9% [95% CI: + 15.0%, + 16.7%] rise in All Forms TB notifications in the intervention areas compared to control areas. The ITS analyses detected significant positive post-intervention trend differences in All Forms TB notification rates between the intervention and control areas (p = 0.001), as well as between the employee and volunteer human resource models (p = 0.021). Conclusions Both salaried and volunteer CHW human resource models demonstrated additionality in case notifications compared to routine case finding by the government TB program. The salaried employee CHW model achieved a greater impact on notifications and should be prioritized for scale-up, given sufficient resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan Nguyen Quang Vo
- Friends for International TB Relief, 68B Nguyen Van Troi, 8, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. .,Interactive Research and Development, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Rachel Jeanette Forse
- Friends for International TB Relief, 68B Nguyen Van Troi, 8, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Andrew James Codlin
- Friends for International TB Relief, 68B Nguyen Van Troi, 8, Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Thanh Nguyen Vu
- Ho Chi Minh City Public Health Association, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Giang Truong Le
- Ho Chi Minh City Public Health Association, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Giang Chau Do
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | | | - Ha Minh Dang
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | | | | | | | - Jens Levy
- KNCV Tuberculosefonds, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Bertie Squire
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool, UK
| | - Knut Lonnroth
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Global Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maxine Caws
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool, UK.,Birat Nepal Medical Trust, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Angwenyi V, Aantjes C, Bunders-Aelen J, Criel B, Lazarus JV. Context matters: a qualitative study of the practicalities and dilemmas of delivering integrated chronic care within primary and secondary care settings in a rural Malawian district. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2020; 21:101. [PMID: 32513112 PMCID: PMC7282183 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01174-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increasing double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa, health systems require new approaches to organise and deliver services for patients requiring long-term care. There is increasing recognition of the need to integrate health services, with evidence supporting integration of HIV and NCD services through the reorganisation of health system inputs, across system levels. This study investigates current practices of delivering and implementing integrated care for chronically-ill patients in rural Malawi, focusing on the primary level. METHODS A qualitative study on chronic care in Phalombe district conducted between April 2016 and May 2017, with a sub-analysis performed on the data following a document analysis to understand the policy context and how integration is conceptualised in Malawi; structured observations in five of the 15 district health facilities, selected purposively to represent different levels of care (primary and secondary), and ownership (private and public). Fifteen interviews with healthcare providers and managers, purposively selected from the above facilities. Meetings with five non-governmental organisations to study their projects and support towards chronic care in Phalombe. Data were analysed using a thematic approach and managed in NVivo. RESULTS Our study found that, while policies supported integration of various disease-specific programmes at point of care, integration efforts on the ground were severely hampered by human and health resource challenges e.g. inadequate consultation rooms, erratic supplies especially for NCDs, and an overstretched health workforce. There were notable achievements, though most prominent at the secondary level e.g. the establishment of a combined NCD clinic, initiating NCD screening within HIV services, and initiatives for integrated information systems. CONCLUSION In rural Malawi, major impediments to integrated care provision for chronically-ill patients include the frail state of primary healthcare services and sub-optimal NCD care at the lowest healthcare level. In pursuit of integrative strategies, opportunities lie in utilising and expanding community-based outreach strategies offering multi-disease screening and care with strong referral linkages; careful task delegation and role realignment among care teams supported with proper training and incentive mechanisms; and collaborative partnership between public and private sector actors to expand the resource-base and promoting cross-programme initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibian Angwenyi
- Faculty of Sciences, Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Unit of Equity and Health, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155, B-2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Calle del Rossellón 132, ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carolien Aantjes
- Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Joske Bunders-Aelen
- Faculty of Sciences, Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Criel
- Unit of Equity and Health, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155, B-2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Calle del Rossellón 132, ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain
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Topp SM, Carbone NB, Tseka J, Kamtsendero L, Banda G, Herce ME. " Most of what they do, we cannot do!" How lay health workers respond to barriers to uptake and retention in HIV care among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002220. [PMID: 32561513 PMCID: PMC7304641 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the era of Option B+ and 'treat all' policies for HIV, challenges to retention in care are well documented. In Malawi, several large community-facility linkage (CFL) models have emerged to address these challenges, training lay health workers (LHW) to support the national prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme. This qualitative study sought to examine how PMTCT LHW deployed by Malawi's three most prevalent CFL models respond to known barriers to access and retention to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and PMTCT. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study, including 43 semi-structured interviews with PMTCT clients; 30 focus group discussions with Ministry of Health (MOH)-employed lay and professional providers and PMTCT LHWs; a facility CFL survey and 2-4 hours of onsite observation at each of 8 sites and in-depth interviews with 13 programme coordinators and MOH officials. Thematic analysis was used, combining inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS Across all three models, PMTCT LHWs carried out a number of 'targeted' activities that respond directly to a range of known barriers to ART uptake and retention. These include: (i) fulfilling counselling and educational functions that responded to women's fears and uncertainties; (ii) enhancing women's social connectedness and participation in their own care and (iii) strengthening service function by helping clinic-based providers carry out duties more efficiently and effectively. Beyond absorbing workload or improving efficiency, however, PMTCT LHWs supported uptake and retention through foundational but often intangible work to strengthen CFL, including via efforts to strengthen facility-side responsiveness, and build community members' recognition of and trust in services. CONCLUSION PMTCT LHWs in each of the CFL models examined, addressed social, cultural and health system factors influencing client access to, and engagement with, HIV care and treatment. Findings underscore the importance of person-centred design in the 'treat-all' era and the contribution LHWs can make to this, but foreground the challenges of achieving person-centredness in the context of an under-resourced health system. Further work to understand the governance and sustainability of these project-funded CFL models and LHW cadres is now urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Godfrey Banda
- University of North Carolina Project, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael E Herce
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel HIll, North Carolina, USA
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
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Kok M, Tolani M, Mtonga W, Salamba T, Mwabungulu T, Munthali A, Smet E, Chinsakaso B. Enabling and hindering factors of health surveillance assistants' roles in the provision of contraceptive services in Mangochi, Malawi. Reprod Health 2020; 17:57. [PMID: 32312279 PMCID: PMC7171808 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-0906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Contraceptive services are essential for promoting people’s health, and economic and social well-being. Despite increased contraceptive use over the past decades, unmet need is still high in Malawi. As a result of task shifting, health surveillance assistants (HSAs), Malawi’s paid community health worker cadre, provide an expanded range of contraceptive services, aimed at increasing access at community level. We conducted a qualitative study to explore enabling and hindering factors of HSAs’ roles in the provision of modern contraceptive services in Mangochi district, Malawi. Methods The study involved HSAs and their supervisors, a variety of community members, health workers and policy makers using 34 interviews and 12 focus group discussions. Data were recorded, transcribed, translated, coded and thematically analysed according to a framework that included community-, HSA- and health system-related factors. Results HSAs were found to be trusted providers of contraceptive services. At community level, gender norms, decision-making and beliefs about contraceptives were intertwined. They resulted in women using contraceptive services, including those offered by HSAs, in secret. There were misconceptions about contraceptives among both men and women, which were insufficiently addressed by HSAs. Residence and age of HSAs influenced their role in the provision of contraceptive services to (young) community members, whereas sex was not regarded as an enabling or hindering factor. While most community members reported to be satisfied with the quality of HSAs’ services, quality was compromised by a lack of contraceptive supplies and other resources, and limited supportive supervision and training. Conclusions HSAs in Mangochi are important contraceptive service providers. Their ability to ensure male involvement, increase access to services for youth and address misconceptions about contraceptives needs improvement. This requires a thorough understanding of socio-cultural norms and improved behavioural change communication competencies, which need to be incorporated in future training under Malawi’s Community Health Strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryse Kok
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, P.O. Box 95001, 1090, HA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Madalitso Tolani
- Amref Health Africa, Malawi, P.O. Box 30768, Capital City, Lilongwe
| | - Wongani Mtonga
- Amref Health Africa, Malawi, P.O. Box 30768, Capital City, Lilongwe
| | - Thom Salamba
- Amref Health Africa, Malawi, P.O. Box 30768, Capital City, Lilongwe
| | | | - Arnold Munthali
- Amref Health Africa, Malawi, P.O. Box 30768, Capital City, Lilongwe
| | - Eefje Smet
- Amref Health Africa, the Netherlands, Schuttersveld 9, 2316, XG, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Love-Koh J, Griffin S, Kataika E, Revill P, Sibandze S, Walker S. Methods to promote equity in health resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries: an overview. Global Health 2020; 16:6. [PMID: 31931823 PMCID: PMC6958737 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-019-0537-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Unfair differences in healthcare access, utilisation, quality or health outcomes exist between and within countries around the world. Improving health equity is a stated objective for many governments and international organizations. We provide an overview of the major tools that have been developed to measure, evaluate and promote health equity, along with the data required to operationalise them.Methods are organised into four key policy questions facing decision-makers: (i) what is the current level of inequity in health; (ii) does government health expenditure benefit the worst-off; (iii) can government health expenditure more effectively promote equity; and (iv) which interventions provide the best value for money in reducing inequity.Benefit incidence analysis can be used to estimate the distribution of current public health sector expenditure, with geographical resource allocation formulae and health system reform being the main government policy levers for improving equity. Techniques from the economic evaluation literature, such as extended and distributional cost-effectiveness analysis can be used to identify 'best buy' interventions from a health equity perspective. A range of inequality metrics, from gap measures and slope indices to concentration indices and regression analysis, can be applied to these approaches to evaluate changes in equity.Methods from the economics literature can provide policymakers with a toolkit for addressing multiple aspects of health equity, from outcomes to financial protection, and can be adapted to accommodate data commonly available in low- and middle-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Love-Koh
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, England.
| | - Susan Griffin
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, England
| | - Edward Kataika
- East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, England
| | - Sibusiso Sibandze
- East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Simon Walker
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, England
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Preston A, Okebe J, Balen J, Ribera JM, Masunaga Y, Bah A, Dabira E, D’Alessandro U. Involving community health workers in disease-specific interventions: perspectives from The Gambia on the impact of this approach. JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.29392/joghr.3.e2019084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Shelley KD, Frumence G, Mpembeni R, Mwinnyaa G, Joachim J, Kisusi HK, Killewo J, Baqui AH, Peters DH, George AS. "Because Even the Person Living With HIV/AIDS Might Need to Make Babies" - Perspectives on the Drivers of Feasibility and Acceptability of an Integrated Community Health Worker Model in Iringa, Tanzania. Int J Health Policy Manag 2019; 8:538-549. [PMID: 31657176 PMCID: PMC6815988 DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2019.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Countries with health workforce shortages are increasingly turning to multipurpose community health workers (CHWs) to extend integrated services to the community-level. However, there may be tradeoffs with the number of tasks a CHW can effectively perform before quality and/or productivity decline. This qualitative study was conducted within an existing program in Iringa, Tanzania where HIV-focused CHWs working as volunteers received additional training on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) promotion, thereby establishing a dual role CHW model. Methods: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the combined HIV/MNCH CHW model, qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 36 CHWs, 21 supervisors, and 10 program managers were conducted following integration of HIV and MNCH responsibilities (n=67). Thematic analysis explored perspectives on task planning, prioritization and integration, workload, and the feasibility and acceptability of the dual role model. Interview data and field observations were also used to describe implementation differences between HIV and MNCH roles as a basis for further contextualizing the qualitative findings. Results: Perspectives from a diverse set of stakeholders suggested provision of both HIV and MNCH health promotion by CHWs was feasible. Most CHWs attempted to balance HIV/MNCH responsibilities, although some prioritized MNCH tasks. An increased workload from MNCH did not appear to interfere with HIV responsibilities but drew time away from other income-generating activities on which volunteer CHWs rely. Satisfaction with the dual role model hinged on increased community respect, gaining new knowledge/skills, and improving community health, while the remuneration-level caused dissatisfaction, a complaint that could challenge sustainability. Conclusions: Despite extensive literature on integration, little research at the community level exists. This study demonstrated CHWs can feasibly balance HIV and MNCH roles, but not without some challenges related to the heavier workload. Further research is necessary to determine the quality of health promotion in both HIV and MNCH domains, and whether the dual role model can be maintained over time among these volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine D Shelley
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gasto Frumence
- Department of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rose Mpembeni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - George Mwinnyaa
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juliana Joachim
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Japhet Killewo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Abdullah H Baqui
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David H Peters
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Asha S George
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Olaniran A, Madaj B, Bar-Zev S, van den Broek N. The roles of community health workers who provide maternal and newborn health services: case studies from Africa and Asia. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001388. [PMID: 31478012 PMCID: PMC6703286 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A variety of community health workers (CHWs) provide maternal and newborn health (MNH) services in low-income and middle-income settings. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the diversity in type of CHW in each setting and responsibility, role, training duration and type of remuneration. METHODS We identified CHWs providing MNH services in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria by reviewing 23 policy documents and conducting 36 focus group discussions and 131 key informant interviews. We analysed the data using thematic analysis. RESULTS Irrespective of training duration (8 days to 3 years), all CHWs identify pregnant women, provide health education and screen for health conditions that require a referral to a higher level of care. Therapeutic care, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, and provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives are within the exclusive remit of CHWs with training greater than 3 months. In contrast, community mobilisation and patient tracking are often done by CHWs with training shorter than 3 months. Challenges CHWs face include pressure to provide MNH services beyond their scope of practice during emergencies, and a tendency in some settings to focus CHWs on facility-based roles at the expense of their traditional community-based roles. CONCLUSION CHWs are well positioned geographically and socially to deliver some aspects of MNH care. However, there is a need to review and revise their scope of practice to reflect the varied duration of training and in-country legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abimbola Olaniran
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Barbara Madaj
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Sarah Bar-Zev
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Nynke van den Broek
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
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Shelley KD, Frumence G, Mpembeni R, George AS, Stuart EA, Killewo J, Baqui AH, Peters DH. Can volunteer community health workers manage multiple roles? An interrupted time-series analysis of combined HIV and maternal and child health promotion in Iringa, Tanzania. Health Policy Plan 2019; 33:1096-1106. [PMID: 30590539 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czy104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in health promotion, but their workload is often oriented around a single disease. Renewed interest in expansion of multipurpose CHWs to cover an integrated package of services must contend with the debate over how effectively CHWs can perform an increased range of tasks. In this study, we examine whether an existing cadre of HIV-focused paid volunteer CHWs in Iringa, Tanzania, can take on new maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) promotion tasks without adversely affecting their HIV role. HIV household visits conducted per month were extracted from CHW summary forms covering up to 14 months pre-intervention and 12 months of intervention data. A comparative interrupted time series using a generalized estimating equation assessed population-averaged longitudinal trends in monthly HIV visit count in the intervention ('dual-role' CHWs) vs comparison group ('single-role' CHWs). Analyses were stratified by district, accounting for secular trends, seasonality and covariates. The time series consisted of 4022 observations for HIV visit count from 187 CHWs (41% dual role). Prior to MNCH training, dual-role CHWs averaged 25-30% more HIV visits per month compared with single-role CHWs, with no other significant pre-intervention differences between groups. CHWs began conducting MNCH visits shortly after receiving training, but in the initial month of intervention, there was a 6-9% drop in the mean number of HIV visits per month among dual-role CHWs. Otherwise, there was no significant difference between single- and dual-role CHWs in the trajectories of monthly HIV visits before and after adding MNCH tasks. Dual-role CHWs appeared able to maintain their HIV client workload after adding MNCH tasks to their routines, albeit with an initial slight decline in HIV workload. This dual-role CHW model suggests potential spare capacity in vertically oriented programmes, with productivity gains possible through integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine D Shelley
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gasto Frumence
- Department of Development Studies, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rose Mpembeni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Asha S George
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA.,School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Japhet Killewo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Abdullah H Baqui
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David H Peters
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Guerra J, Acharya P, Barnadas C. Community-based surveillance: A scoping review. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215278. [PMID: 30978224 PMCID: PMC6461245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Involving community members in identifying and reporting health events for public health surveillance purposes, an approach commonly described as community-based surveillance (CBS), is increasingly gaining interest. We conducted a scoping review to list terms and definitions used to characterize CBS, to identify and summarize available guidance and recommendations, and to map information on past and existing in-country CBS systems. Methods We searched eight bibliographic databases and screened the worldwide web for any document mentioning an approach in which community members both collected and reported information on health events from their community for public health surveillance. Two independent reviewers performed double blind screening and data collection, any discrepancy was solved through discussion and consensus. Findings From the 134 included documents, several terms and definitions for CBS were retrieved. Guidance and recommendations for CBS were scattered through seven major guides and sixteen additional documents. Seventy-nine unique CBS systems implemented since 1958 in 42 countries were identified, mostly implemented in low and lower-middle income countries (79%). The systems appeared as fragmented (81% covering a limited geographical area and 70% solely implemented in a rural setting), vertical (67% with a single scope of interest), and of limited duration (median of 6 years for ongoing systems and 2 years for ended systems). Collection of information was mostly performed by recruited community members (80%). Interpretation While CBS has already been implemented in many countries, standardization is still required on the term and processes to be used. Further research is needed to ensure CBS integrates effectively into the overall public health surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Guerra
- World Health Organization (WHO), Lyon, France
- * E-mail:
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Jackson R, Kilsby D, Hailemariam A. Gender exploitative and gender transformative aspects of employing Health Extension Workers under Ethiopia's Health Extension Program. Trop Med Int Health 2019; 24:304-319. [PMID: 30582264 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To apply a gender lens to Ethiopia's Health Extension Program and the role of Health Extension Workers (HEWs). METHODS Interviews with 45 HEWs and four focus group discussions with 14 of the same HEWS from three regions in rural Ethiopia: Afar Region; Tigray Region (Adwa Woreda); and two locations in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region (Aleta Wondo Woreda and Kafa Zone). Two focus group discussions were conducted in Afar Region with 17 Women Extension Workers employed by Afar Pastoralist Development Association. RESULTS Using the Gender Equality Continuum as a gender analysis tool, we found that Ethiopia's Health Extension Program is gender aware by directly linking improved health outcomes for women and their empowerment. However, for HEWs who inhabit a gendered space and place from home to district health centres, there can be unexpected consequences that accommodate existing gender inequalities, are blind to them and perhaps even generate new forms of exploitation. CONCLUSIONS The Health Extension Program could have more transformative outcomes for HEWs and also for communities if changing gender norms was given more attention and constraints to gender equality were reduced. Community Health Worker (CHW) programs should focus on better understanding on the role of gender for CHWs across health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Jackson
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Di Kilsby
- Gender and Social Inclusion Consultancy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Assefa Hailemariam
- Center for Population Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Kamanga G, Hoffman I, Malata A, Wheeler S, Chilongozi D, Babich S. Perspectives about policy implementation: A learning opportunity from the 2003-2013 Malawi HIV/AIDS Policy. Malawi Med J 2019; 30:54-60. [PMID: 30627329 PMCID: PMC6307070 DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v30i2.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malawi published its first ever HIV and AIDS policy in 2003. The implementation of the policy provided a very necessary and historic step in Malawi's organized response towards HIV and AIDS. Many achievements were registered in the period this policy was implemented. However, some components of the policy were not well-implemented. Our study explored barriers to implementation of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) for sexually transmitted infections (STI) within general outpatient settings. Malawi also launched a revised HIV and AIDS Policy in December 2013. Although not part of this policy analysis, future years of implementation may face related issues observed during the implementation of the 2003–2013 policy. Methods This is a non-experimental, descriptive study using a case study design. We examined the implementation of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling component of the Malawi HIV and AIDS policy from 2003–2013 focusing on STI and outpatient clinic settings. We sought to understand perspectives of various stakeholders and users of the policy. We conducted in-depth interviews with policy makers, health care worker supervisors, health care workers and health rights activists. Results Major problems which affected the implementation of the 2003–2013 HIV policy were: selective prioritization of policies by government, lack of involvement of implementers in the policy making process, non-awareness of health workers about the existence of the policy, lack of healthcare worker training, unsatisfactory supervision of policy implementation, poor harmonization of policies, lack of clarity about guidance to those directly implementing, unclear roles and reporting authority among the main national coordinating units. Conclusion Good leadership, effective coordination, involvement of key players in the policy making process, dissemination to primary users and decentralization or empowerment of local supervisors is key to successful policy implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irving Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | | | - Stephanie Wheeler
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | | | - Suzanne Babich
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, United States
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Schneider H. The Governance of National Community Health Worker Programmes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Empirically Based Framework of Governance Principles, Purposes and Tasks. Int J Health Policy Manag 2019; 8:18-27. [PMID: 30709099 PMCID: PMC6358641 DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2018.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND National community health worker (CHW) programmes are increasingly regarded as an integral component of primary healthcare (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). At the interface of the formal health system and communities, CHW programmes evolve in context specific ways, with unique cadres and a variety of vertical and horizontal relationships. These programmes need to be appropriately governed if they are to succeed, yet there is little evidence or guidance on what this entails in practice. Based on empirical observations of South Africa's community-based health sector and informed by theoretical insights on governance, this paper proposes a practical framework for the design and strengthening of CHW programme governance at scale. METHODS Conceptually, the framework is based on multi-level governance thinking, that is, the distributed, negotiated and iterative nature of decision-making, and the rules, processes and relationships that support this in health systems. The specific purposes and tasks of CHW programme governance outlined in the framework draw from observations and published case study research on the formulation and early implementation of the Ward Based Outreach Team strategy in South Africa. RESULTS The framework is presented as a set of principles and a matrix of 5 key governance purposes (or outputs). These purposes are: a negotiated fit between policy mandates and evidence, histories and strategies of community-based services; local organisational and accountability relationships that provide community-based actors with sufficient autonomy and power to act; aligned and integrated programme management systems; processes that enable system learning, adaptation and change; and sustained political support. These purposes are further elaborated into 17 specific tasks, distributed across levels of the health system (national, regional, and local). CONCLUSION In systematising the governance functions in CHW programmes, the paper seeks to shed light on how best to support and strengthen these functions at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Schneider
- School of Public Health and SAMRC/UWC Health Service to Systems Unit, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Robertson SK, Manson K, Fioratou E. IMCI and ETAT integration at a primary healthcare facility in Malawi: a human factors approach. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:1014. [PMID: 30594185 PMCID: PMC6310991 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3803-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and Emergency Triage, Assessment and Treatment (ETAT) are guidelines developed by the World Health Organization to reach targets for reducing under-5 mortality. They were set out in the Millennium Development Goals. Each guideline was established separately so the purpose of this study was to understand how these systems have been integrated in a primary care setting and identify barriers and facilitators to this integration using a systems approach. METHOD Interviews were carried out with members of staff of different levels within a primary healthcare clinic in Malawi. Along with observations from the clinic this provided a well-rounded view of the running of the clinic. This data was then analysed using the SEIPS 2.0 work systems framework. The work system elements specified in this model were used to identify and categorise themes that influenced the clinic's efficiency. RESULTS A process map of the flow of patients through the clinic was created, showing the tasks undertaken and the interactions between staff and patients. In their interviews, staff identified several organisational elements that served as barriers to the implementation of care. They included workload, available resources, ineffective time management, delegation of roles and adaptation of care. In terms of the external environment there was a lack of clarity over the two sets of guidelines and how they were to be integrated which was a key barrier to the process. Under the heading of tools and technology a lack of guideline copies was identified as a barrier. However, the health passport system and other forms of recording were highlighted as being important facilitators. Other issues highlighted were the lack of transport provided, challenges regarding teamwork and attitudes of members of staff, patient factors such as their beliefs and regard for the care and education provided by the clinic. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first information on the challenges and issues involved in combining IMCI and ETAT and identified a number of barriers. These barriers included a lack of resources, staff training and heavy workload. This provided areas to work on in order to improve implementation.
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