Global Health Security Agenda Implementation: A Case for Community Engagement

Armstrong-Mensah, Elizabeth; Ndiaye, Serigne M.

doi:10.1089/hs.2017.0097

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A majority of the studies included in the review were qualitative (n=11) 7-17 followed by descriptive crosssectional studies (n=9), [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] pretest and post-test studies (n=6), [27][28][29][30][31][32] literature reviews (n=3), [33][34][35] mixed-methods studies (n=2), 36 37 guidelines (n=2), 38 39 one systematic review, 40 one randomised controlled trial 41 and one case report. 42 Key characteristics of the included studies are presented in table 1.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community health workers for pandemic response: a rapid evidence synthesis

et al. 2020

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IntroductionCoronavirus disease (COVID-19), affects 213 countries or territories globally. We received a request from National Health Systems Resource Centre, a public agency in India, to conduct rapid evidence synthesis (RES) on community health workers (CHWs) for COVID-19 prevention and control in 3 days.MethodsWe searched PubMed, websites of ministries (n=3), public agencies (n=6), multilateral institutions (n=3), COVID-19 resource aggregators (n=5) and preprints (n=1) (without language restrictions) for articles on CHWs in pandemics. Two reviewers screened the records independently with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. One reviewer extracted data with another reviewer cross-checking it. A framework on CHW performance in primary healthcare not specific to pandemic was used to guide data extraction and narrative analysis.ResultsWe retrieved 211 records and finally included 36 articles. Most of the evidence was from low-and middle-income countries with well-established CHW programmes. Evidence from CHW programmes initiated during pandemics and for CHW involvement in pandemic response in high-income countries was scant. CHW roles and tasks change substantially during pandemics. Clear guidance, training for changed roles and definition of what constitutes essential activities (ie, those that must to be sustained) is required. Most common additional activities during pandemics were community awareness, engagement and sensitisation (including for countering stigma) and contact tracing. CHWs were reported to be involved in all aspects of contact tracing - this was reported to affect routine service delivery. CHWs have often been stigmatised or been socially ostracised during pandemics. Providing PPE, housing allowance, equal training opportunities, transportation allowance, improving salaries (paid on time and for a broad range of services) and awards in high-profile public events contributed to better recruitment and retention. We also created inventories of resources with guiding notes on guidelines for health workers (n=24), self-isolation in the community (n=10) and information, education and counselling materials on COVID-19 (n=16).ConclusionsCHWs play a critical role in pandemics. It is important to ensure role clarity, training, supportive supervision, as well as their work satisfaction, health and well-being. More implementation research on CHWs in pandemics is required.

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Section: Characteristics Of Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community health workers for pandemic response: a rapid evidence synthesis

et al. 2020

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“…A majority of the studies included in the review were qualitative (n=11) (7–17), followed by descriptive cross-sectional studies (n=9)(18–26), pre- and post-test studies (n=6) (27–32), literature reviews (n=3)(33–35), mixed-methods studies (n=2)(36, 37), guidelines (n=2)(38, 39), one systematic review(40), one randomised controlled trial (41), and one case report(42). Key characteristics of the included studies are presented in Table 1 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During previous pandemics, CHWs have faced stigmatisation, isolation and in some cases were even socially ostracized. (15, 33, 37) CHWs used several coping strategies including trying to isolate themselves to protect their loved ones, finding renewed purpose in continuing to serve the community, and turning to religion to guide strength. (15) Peer and family support (praying together before work or through social-medial platform like WhatsApp) were reported to enhance CHW well-being.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community health workers for pandemic response: a rapid evidence synthesis

Bhaumik

Moola

Tyagi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a respiratory illness, first discovered in China in December 2019 has now spread to 213 countries or territories affecting millions across the globe. We received a request from National Health Systems Resource Centre, a public agency in India, for a Rapid Evidence Synthesis (RES) on community health workers (CHWs) for COVID-19 prevention and control. Methods: We searched PubMed, websites of ministries, public agencies, multilateral institutions, COVID-19 resource aggregators and pre-prints (without language restrictions) for articles on the role, challenges and enablers for CHWs in pandemics. Two reviewers screened the records independently with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. One reviewer extracted data in a consensus data extraction form with another reviewer cross-checking it. A framework on CHW performance in primary healthcare not specific to pandemic was used to guide data extraction and narrative analysis. Results: We retrieved 211 records and finally included 36 articles on the role, challenges and enablers for CHWs in pandemics. We found that CHWs play an important role in building awareness, countering stigma and maintaining essential primary healthcare service delivery. It is essential that CHWs are provided adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and appropriately trained in its usage in the early stages of the pandemic. Wide range of policies and guidance is required to ensure health systems functioning. A clear guidance for prioritizing essential activities, postponing non-essential ones and additional pandemic related activities is crucial. CHWs experience stigmatization, isolation and social exclusion. Psychosocial support, non-performance-based incentives, additional transport allowance, accommodation, child-support, awards and recognition programs have been used in previous pandemics. We also created inventories of resources with guiding notes for quick utility by decision makers on guidelines for health workers (n=24), self-isolation in the community (n=10) and information, education and counselling materials on COVID-19 (n=16). Conclusions: CHWs play a critical role in pandemics like COVID-19. It is important to ensure role clarity, training, supportive supervision, as well as their work satisfaction, health and well-being. There is a need for more implementation research on CHWs in pandemics like COVID-19.

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“…La mise en place dans les pays à ressources limitées d'un système de veille sanitaire capable de détecter rapidement, voire de prédire des MIE, proche du modèle des pays développés (figure 2), peut désormais être envisagée grâce notamment aux technologies d'information et de communication [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. La solidarité internationale, dont bénéficient ces pays pour la restauration de leurs systèmes de santé, doit aider à la mise en place ou le renforcement d'une veille de qualité et adaptée afin de préserver leur propre sécurité sanitaire et celle du reste du monde [39]. Par ailleurs, dans ce cadre la surveillance des voyageurs apparaît comme un élément important et complémentaire pour renforcer l'alerte précoce et la sécurité sanitaire mondiale.…”

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