Impact of Community Health Workers on Access, Use of Services, and Patient Knowledge and Behavior

Abstract

Community health workers have been used in health centers for several decades. Known by various names (e.g., community health advisors, outreach workers, promotoras), they are trusted community members providing informal community-based health-related services and establishing vital links between health providers and the community. They perform many functions, including outreach and case finding, health education, translation, patient transportation, and case management (under the supervision of a nurse or social worker). This article, based on a study of community health worker programs at seven sites, is intended to share the lessons learned that could be helpful to other program managers and to examine the outcomes of such programs.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Human Papilloma Virus Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening

“…These are lay health workers sharing similar cultural and linguistic backgrounds as their patients. [47][48][49] Both had over 2 years of experience as CHWs in research studies at these sites and one was already familiar with HPV self-sampling from a prior study. The other was a diabetes-trained CHW whom we retrained in cervical cancer and HPV sampling.…”

Culturally Competent Interventions for Hispanic Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

“…Thus, usage of lay community health workers may take increased precedence in this population. The primary aspects of community health workers' roles have been to provide education, social support, and cultural mediation (Swider, 2002;Zuvekas, Nolan, Tumaylle, & Griffin, 1999). Understanding cultural traditions and beliefs is important in diabetes care, in particular, as self-management is complex and involves many aspects of daily life.…”

Computer Literacy and E-learning: Attitudes among First Year Students in a Ghanaian Medical School

“…This disparity has been highlighted within and outside the continent, international bodies such as the Joint Learning Initiative [7], and the WHO in its 2006 World Health Report have all drawn attention to it [6]. Initial interventions included calls for increased production of community health workers [8], and non-physician clinicians [9]. Recent recommendations are now focused on education and retention of medical doctors in Africa, advocates are quick to admit that doctors alone would not solve the vast unmet health needs of the continent, they however argue that no health system can function effectively without a significant cadre of doctors participating in clinical and public health work, management, education, and policy making [10].…”