Global

Measuring client trust in CHWs: A multi-country validation study

J Glob Health. 2021;11:07009. Published 2021 Mar 10. doi:10.7189/jogh.11.07009. [Full Article]

Sripad P, McClair TL, Casseus A, Hossain S, Abuya T, Gottert A

Abstract

Background
Client trust in community health workers (CHWs) is integral for improving quality and equity of community health systems globally. Despite its recognized conceptual and pragmatic importance across health areas, there are no quantitative measures of trust in the context of community health services. In this multi-country study, we aimed to develop and validate a scale that assesses trust in CHWs.

Methods
To develop the scale, we used a consultative process to conceptualize and adapt items and domains from prior literature to the CHW context. Content validity and comprehension of scale items were validated through 10 focus group discussions with 75 community members in Haiti, and Kenya. We then conducted 1939 surveys with clients who interacted with CHWs recently in Bangladesh (n = 1017), Haiti…

Delivering maternal mental health through peer volunteers: a 5-year report

Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019 Sep 17;13:62. [Pubmed Abstract]

Atif N, Bibi A, Nisar A, Zulfiqar S, Ahmed I, LeMasters K, Hagaman A, Sikander S, Maselko J, Rahman A

Background
Maternal depression affects one in five women in low-and middle income countries (LMIC) and has significant economic and social impacts. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions delivered by non-specialist health workers are recommended as first-line management of the condition, and recent studies on such interventions from LMIC show promising results. However, lack of human resource to deliver the interventions is a major bottle-neck to scale-up, and much research attention has been devoted to ‘task-sharing’ initiatives. A peer-delivered version of the World Health Organization’s Thinking Healthy Programme for perinatal depression in Pakistan and India showed clinical, functional and social benefits to women at 3 months postpartum. The programme has been iteratively adapted and continually delivered for…

Evaluation of a multi-faceted diabetes care program including community-based peer educators in Takeo province, Cambodia, 2007-2013

PLoS One. 2017 Sep 25;12(9):e0181582. [Pubmed Abstract]

Taniguchi D, LoGerfo J, van Pelt M, Mielcarek B, Huster K, Haider M, Thomas B

Introduction
Early detection and treatment for diabetes are essential for reducing disability and death from the disease. Finding effective screening and treatment for individuals living with diabetes in resource-limited countries is a challenge. MoPoTsyo, a Cambodian non-governmental organization, addressed this gap by utilizing a multi-pronged approach with community-based peer educators, access to laboratory procedures, local outpatient medical consultation, and a revolving drug fund. This study evaluated outcomes of MoPoTsyo’s diabetes program in Takeo Province by assessing glycemic and blood pressure outcomes for individuals diagnosed with diabetes over a 24-month follow-up period between 2007-2013.

Methods
This is a retrospective cohort analysis of records without a comparison group. We calculated the mean fasting blood glucose (FBG)…