Below are the citation and key messages of a new paper in journal Health Policy and Planning. The full text is freely available here: http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/12/11/heapol.czu126.full?papetoc

The study concludes: ‘Additional intervention research to develop a better evidence base for the most effective training and supervision mechanisms and qualitative research to inform policymakers in development of CHW interventions are needed.’

Curiously, the authors also note: ‘Studies mentioning the use of mobile phones in supervision (Arem et al. 2011; Cornman et al. 2011; Jack et al. 2012) did not report a clear influence on CHW performance’. However, the review was conducted in 2013 and excludes any studies later than July 2013.

CITATION: Which intervention design factors influence performance of community health workers in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review

Maryse C Kok et al. Health Policy Plan. (2014) doi: 10.1093/heapol/czu126

First published online: December 11, 2014

KEY MESSAGES

– A systematic review of 140 quantitative and qualitative studies identified factors related to the nature of tasks and time spent on delivery, human resource management, quality assurance, links with the community, links with the health system and resources and logistics having an influence on CHW performance.

– Good performance was associated with intervention designs involving a mix of incentives, frequent supervision, continuous training, community involvement and strong co-ordination and communication between CHWs and health professionals, leading to increased credibility of CHWs.

– When designing CHW programmes, policymakers should take into account factors that increased CHW performance in comparable settings, to maximize programme outcomes.

—

Let’s build a future where people are no longer dying for lack of healthcare knowledge – Join HIFA: www.hifa2015.org