Examining community health workers' role in fighting HIV in Africa

Community health worker (CHW) programmes can play a key role in providing HIV services in Africa. But such programmes are often fragmented, poorly integrated into national health systems, and lack support, according to a new study from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

Researchers interviewed government officials, expert observers, and donors in four African countries—Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland—between August 2015 and May 2016, and looked at published studies, country reports, national health plans, and policies. After analysing all the data, they offered five policy recommendations to strengthen and sustain the role of CHWs in providing HIV services.

They recommended that decision-makers in countries where HIV is commonly found further develop government CHW programmes; officially recognise non-governmental CHW programmes; standardise CHW training, incentives, and services; provide an organisational structure dedicated to community health initiatives; involve the community in decision-making; and provide adequate and long-term resources for CHW programmess for HIV.

Source: Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

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