scholarly journals Building the capacity of community health workers to support health and social care for dependent older people in Latin America: a pilot study in Fortaleza, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
João Bastos Freire Neto ◽  
Gerídice Lorna Andrade de Moraes ◽  
Janaína de Souza Aredes ◽  
Karla Cristina Giacomin ◽  
Luciane Ponte de Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older People ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Background Brazil is seeing rapid population ageing, which is leading to new demands on primary health care services. There is a need to develop and assess the effectiveness of new interventions to build the capacity of staff, including community health workers, to meet the needs of groups such as care-dependent older people and their care-givers. This study examines the feasibility of a small training intervention piloted in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza. Methods The study evaluated participants’ own assessments of key knowledge and skills related to the needs of care-dependent older people, both before and after the training intervention. It also assessed their capacity to implement a simple screening tool of geriatric risk factors. Results The participant self-assessments indicate significant improvements in their perceived knowledge and capacity in responding to the health needs of care-dependent older people. Additionally, participants were able to successfully conduct the home visits and screening for risk factors. Conclusions The study demonstrates the feasibility of developing interventions to enhance the capacity of community health workers to meet the needs of dependent older people in countries like Brazil. The evidence of effectiveness, though limited and subjective, provides justification for a larger, formally evaluated intervention. The experience of Fortaleza provides valuable lessons for other cities and countries in the region which are facing similar challenges.

scholarly journals Formative evaluation of a training intervention for community health workers in South Africa: A before and after study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. e0202817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Plowright ◽  
Celia Taylor ◽  
David Davies ◽  
Jo Sartori ◽  
Gillian Lewando Hundt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Before And After Study

scholarly journals An innovative approach to improve the detection and treatment of risk factors in poor urban settings: a feasibility study in Argentina

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Poggio Rosana ◽  
Goodarz Danaei ◽  
Laura Gutierrez ◽  
Ana Cavallo ◽  
María Victoria Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk

Abstract Background The effective management of cardiovascular (CVD) prevention among the population with exclusive public health coverage in Argentina is low since less than 30% of the individuals with predicted 10-year CVD risk ≥10% attend a clinical visit for CVD risk factors control in the primary care clinics (PCCs). Methods We conducted a non-controlled feasibility study using a mixed methods approach to evaluate acceptability, adoption and fidelity of a multi-component intervention implemented in the public healthcare system. The eligibility criteria were having exclusive public health coverage, age ≥ 40 years, residence in the PCC’s catchment area and 10-year CVD risk ≥10%. The multi-component intervention addressed (1) system barriers through task shifting among the PCC’s staff, protected medical appointments slots and a new CVD form and (2) Provider barriers through training for primary care physicians and CHW and individual barriers through a home-based intervention delivered by community health workers (CHWs). Results A total of 185 participants were included in the study. Of the total number of eligible participants, 82.2% attended at least one clinical visit for risk factor control. Physicians intensified drug treatment in 77% of participants with BP ≥140/90 mmHg and 79.5% of participants with diabetes, increased the proportion of participants treated according to GCP from 21 to 32.6% in hypertensive participants, 7.4 to 33.3% in high CVD risk and 1.4 to 8.7% in very high CVD risk groups. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower at the end of follow up (156.9 to 145.4 mmHg and 92.9 to 88.9 mmHg, respectively) and control of hypertension (BP < 140/90 mmHg) increased from 20.3 to 35.5%. Conclusion The proposed CHWs-led intervention was feasible and well accepted to improve the detection and treatment of risk factors in the poor population with exclusive public health coverage and with moderate or high CVD risk at the primary care setting in Argentina. Task sharing activities with CHWs did not only stimulate teamwork among PCC staff, but it also improved quality of care. This study showed that community health workers could have a more active role in the detection and clinical management of CVD risk factors in low-income communities.

scholarly journals Digital Health-Enabled Community-Centered Care (D-CCC): A Scalable Model to Empower Future Community Health Workers utilizing Human-in-the-Loop AI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Rodrigues ◽  
Anil Kanduri ◽  
Adeline M. Nyamathi ◽  
Nikil Dutt ◽  
Pramod P. Khargonekar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Collaborative Community ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Future ◽  
Centered Care

AbstractDigital Health-Enabled Community-Centered Care (D-CCC) represents a pioneering vision for the future of community-centered care. Utilizing an artificial intelligence-enabled closed-loop digital health platform designed for, and with, community health workers, D-CCC enables timely and individualized delivery of interventions by community health workers to the communities they serve. D-CCC has the potential to transform the current landscape of manual, episodic and restricted community health worker-delivered care and services into an expanded, digitally interconnected and collaborative community-centered health and social care ecosystem which centers around a digitally empowered community health workforce of the future.

scholarly journals Perceived cardiovascular disease risk and tailored communication strategies among rural and urban community dwellers in Rwanda: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Berchmans NIYIBIZI ◽  
Kufre Joseph OKOP ◽  
Jean Pierre NGANABASHAKA ◽  
Ghislaine UMWALI ◽  
Stephen RULISA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Urban Community ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Community Dwellers

Abstract Background In Rwanda, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the third leading cause of death, and hence constitute an important public health issue. Like worldwide, most CVDs are due to lifestyle and preventable risk factors. Prevention interventions are based on risk factors for CVD risk, yet the outcome of such interventions might be limited by the lack of awareness or misconception of CVD risk. This study aimed to explore how rural and urban population groups in Rwanda perceive CVD risk and tailor communication strategies for estimated total cardiovascular risk. Methods An exploratory qualitative study design was applied using focus group discussions to collect data from rural and urban community dwellers. Thematic analysis with Atlas ti 7.5.18 was used and main findings for each theme reported as a narrative summary. Results Participants thought that CVD risk is due to either financial stress, psychosocial stress, substance abuse, noise pollution, unhealthy diets, diabetes or overworking. Participants did not understand CVD risk presented in quantitative format, but preferred qualitative formats or colors to represent low, moderate and high CVD risk through in-person communication. Participants preferred to be screened for CVD risk by community health workers using mobile health technology. Conclusion Rural and urban community members in Rwanda are aware of their CVD risk. Community health workers are preferred by local communities for CVD risk screening. Quantitative formats to present the total CVD risk appear inappropriate to the Rwandan population and qualitative formats are therefore advisable. Thus, operational research on the use of qualitative formats to communicate CVD risk is recommended to improve decision-making on CVD risk communication in the context of Rwanda.

scholarly journals An Innovative Approach to Improve the Detection and Treatment of Risk Factors in Poor Urban Settings: A Feasibility Study in Argentina

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Poggio ◽  
Goodarz Danaei ◽  
Laura Gutierrez ◽  
Ana Cavallo ◽  
María Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Clinical Visit

Abstract Background The effective management of cardiovascular (CVD) prevention among the uninsured population in Argentina is low since less than 30% of the individuals with predicted 10-year CVD risk ≥10% attend a clinical visit for CVD risk factors control in the primary care clinics (PCCs). Methods We conducted a non-controlled feasibility study using a mixed methods approach to evaluate acceptability, adoption and fidelity of a multi-component intervention implemented in the public healthcare system. The eligibility criteria were being uninsured, age ≥ 40 years, residence in the PCC´s catchment area and 10-year CVD risk ≥ 10%. The multi-component intervention addressed (1) system barriers through task shifting among the PCC´s staff, protected medical appointments slots and a new CVD form and (2) Provider barriers through training for primary care physicians and CHW and individual barriers through a home-based intervention delivered by community health workers (CHWs).Results A total of 185 participants were included in the study. Of the total number of the eligible participants, 82.2% of eligible participants attended to at least one clinical visit for risk factor control. Physicians intensified drug treatment in 77% of participants with BP ≥140/90 mmHg and 79.5% of participants with diabetes, increased the proportion of participants treated according to GCP from 21% to 32.6% in hypertensive participants, 7.4% to 33.3% in high CVD risk and 1.4% to 8.7% in very high CVD risk groups. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower at the end of follow up (156.9 to 145.4 mmHg and 92.9 to 88.9 mmHg, respectively) and control of hypertension (BP<140/90 mmHg) increased from 20.3% to 35.5%.Conclusion The proposed CHWs-led intervention was feasible and well accepted in improving the detection and treatment of risk factors in the uninsured and poor population with moderate or high CVD risk at the primary care setting in Argentina. Task sharing activities with CHWs not only stimulated teamwork among PCC staff, but it also improved quality of care. This study showed that community health workers could have a more active role in the detection and clinical management of CVD risk factors in low-income communities.

scholarly journals A training intervention on child feeding among primary healthcare workers in Ibadan Municipality

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Folake O. Samuel ◽  
Funmilola M. Olaolorun ◽  
Joshua D. Adeniyi
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Before And After

Introduction: Health workers at the primary level are well positioned to provide health information and counselling on child feeding to mothers on antenatal visits. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of training on the knowledge, attitudes and provision of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) information and counselling among primary healthcare (PHC) workers. Methods: A two-stage cluster sample was used to select health workers for training on IYCF in Ibadan, Nigeria. Baseline, immediate and 4-week post-training surveys were conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of health workers regarding IYCF. Paired t-tests were used to measure differences (p < 0.05) before and after the training. Results: A total of 124 health workers were trained on current global IYCF recommendations. Participants included community health extension workers (59.7%), nurses (27.4%), community health officers (11.3%), and pharmacy technicians (1.6%). Mean age was 41.8 ± 8.2 years and 95.2% were women. Knowledge of health workers regarding IYCF, particularly complementary feeding, was low at baseline but improved significantly following the training intervention. Attitudes and practices regarding provision of IYCF were suboptimal among health workers at the PHC facilities, but this improved with training. Conclusion: Health workers at the PHC level need regular retraining exercises to ensure effective counselling on IYCF.

Digital Health-Enabled Community-Centered Care: A Scalable Model to Empower Future Community Health Workers utilizing Human-in-the-Loop Artificial Intelligence (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Rodrigues ◽  
Anil Kanduri ◽  
Adeline Nyamathi ◽  
Nikil Dutt ◽  
Pramod Khargonekar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Collaborative Community ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Future ◽  
Centered Care

UNSTRUCTURED Digital Health-Enabled Community-Centered Care (D-CCC) represents a pioneering vision for the future of community-centered care. Utilizing an artificial intelligence-enabled closed-loop digital health platform designed for, and with, community health workers, D-CCC enables timely and individualized delivery of interventions by community health workers to the communities they serve. D-CCC has the potential to transform the current landscape of manual, episodic and restricted community health worker-delivered care and services into an expanded, digitally interconnected and collaborative community-centered health and social care ecosystem which centers around a digitally empowered community health workforce of the future.

scholarly journals Community health workers’ involvement in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Wakiso District, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Musoke ◽  
Edwinah Atusingwize ◽  
Deborah Ikhile ◽  
Sarah Nalinya ◽  
Charles Ssemugabo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Community Mobilisation ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Community health workers (CHWs) are an important cadre of the global health workforce as they are involved in providing health services at the community level. However, evidence on the role of CHWs in delivering interventions for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Uganda is limited. This study, therefore, assessed the involvement of CHWs in the prevention and control of NCDs in Wakiso District, Uganda with a focus on their knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as community perceptions. Methods A cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted which involved a structured questionnaire among 485 CHWs, and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) among community members. The study assessed knowledge, perceptions including the importance of the various risk factors, and the current involvement of CHWs in NCDs, including the challenges they faced. Quantitative data were analysed in STATA version 13.0 while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results The majority of CHWs (75.3%) correctly defined what NCDs are. Among CHWs who knew examples of NCDs (87.4%), the majority mentioned high blood pressure (77.1%), diabetes (73.4%) and cancer (63.0%). Many CHWs said that healthy diet (86.2%), physical activity (77.7%), avoiding smoking/tobacco use (70.9%), and limiting alcohol consumption (63.7%) were very important to prevent NCDs. Although more than half of the CHWs (63.1%) reported being involved in NCDs activities, only 20.9 and 20.6% had participated in community mobilisation and referral of patients respectively. The majority of CHWs (80.1%) who were involved in NCDs prevention and control reported challenges including inadequate knowledge (58.4%), lack of training (37.6%), and negative community perception towards NCDs (35.1%). From the FGDs, community members were concerned that CHWs did not have enough training on NCDs hence lacked enough information. Therefore, the community did not have much confidence in them regarding NCDs, hence rarely consulted them concerning these diseases. Conclusions Despite CHWs having some knowledge on NCDs and their risk factors, their involvement in the prevention and control of the diseases was low. Through enhanced training and community engagement, CHWs can contribute to the prevention and control of NCDs, including health education and community mobilisation.

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