Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Community Workers”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Strategies used by interdisciplinary rural health training programs to assure community responsiveness and recruit practitioners.

In this article, the strategies used by five US rural interdisciplinary training grant programs to respond to local needs and to promote recruitment in rural communities are described. The programs provide training to 17 health care disciplines and serve disadvantaged Hispanic, African-American, Amish, Native American, and Anglo populations. Four programs are based in academic institutions; one is based in a community health center. The programs provide services to the rural communities through individual clinical or case management services, population-level interventions, and collaborative research. All programs use specific mechanisms (e.g. case conferences or participation in local coalitions) to facilitate collaboration with residents and to link student activities with community or individual needs. Unique strategies include the use of problem-based learning and community health workers on the interdisciplinary team to increase responsiveness. The programs also provide educational support to students while they work in the rural communities. Finally, the primary strategy used to promote recruitment is the training experience in rural communities. The programs also appear to indirectly improve the environment of rural practice.

Case Management↗
PubMed1987

Agricultural production in Kikwawila village, southeastern Tanzania.

Food production, land utilisation and agricultural structures were surveyed at Kikwawila village, north of Ifakara (Kilombero District, Morogoro Region) in 1984. This study was part of a more comprehensive, longitudinal programme to investigate the health status of a rural community, aiming in particular at the interrelations between nutrition, parasitic infections, immunity and the environment. Out of 340 households, 100 were interviewed and their subsistence farming activities recorded. The soil was found to be of great variability, being fertile where it was of alluvial origin but of reduced potential where it was non-alluvial. In all, 70 plant species were registered as being cultivated, with rice, maize, cassava and beans providing the main staple food. Apart from a few exceptions, the fields were cultivated without any mechanization. The seasonal distribution of agricultural work is described, but no detailed workload analysis of the villagers with regard to age and sex has been performed. At the foot of the mountains, where artificial irrigation has been introduced, dry season cropping was practised in addition to the prevailing wet season farming, which rendered the cultivation of marketable crops (mainly tomatoes) possible. The farmers were found to be imaginative and capable of adapting to various conditions, irrespective of their tribal origins. Alternatively, the quality of the soil and the unreliable availability of water set limits to the potential of food production in the area. Although land is still available, it is becoming more scarce as the human population increases. The further impoverishment of the land represents an imminent danger. Therefore, top priority ought to be given to soil conservation, followed by intercropping and/or crop rotation, seed production and crop protection against game and pests. Means of implementing such measures are discussed. It is suggested that Community Agricultural Workers be installed, elected by the villagers and trained to establish the link between the existing agricultural extension service and the farmers' communities.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1979

Health for and by the people.

The need to extend the search for health beyond the current efforts to control disease is emphasized by citing the deficienceis of the current health care model systems. The escalating costs of health care delivery, the emphasis of the current system on treating episodic illnesses rather than chronic disabilities, and the fact that the health care system has less of an impact on health status than socio-economic and life style factors represent major deficiencies in health care delivery. Further, the fragmentation and specialization in education and health care, the exclusion of behavioral science teaching, and the teaching of behavioral determinants of diseases are additional deficiencies of health professions education. The need to develop clear and explicit national health policies, including monitoring of health both of people and communities using indices that relate not only to diseases but also to the qualitative aspect of life, is viewed as an essential prerequisite for the health care system. The assignment of much greater priority to the training of a community health worker and health educator is stressed.

Behavioral Sciences↗
PubMed1990

Mumps transmission in hospitals.

Although sporadic transmission of mumps within hospitals to patients and staff is well documented, outbreaks of mumps within hospitals have only rarely been reported. The widespread mumps outbreaks that occurred in Tennessee in 1986-1987 provided an opportunity to assess the extent of the problems caused by mumps in hospitals. Information was obtained from 146 (95%) of 154 infection control practitioners in the state. Infection control problems caused by mumps were reported from 17 (12%) of 146 hospitals. The 17 hospitals in which these incidents occurred were located in counties that accounted for 67% of the reported mumps cases statewide during this period. Although most cases of mumps in health care workers were community-acquired, six health care workers in three different hospitals developed mumps following nosocomial exposure. In two institutions, nine patients contracted mumps while hospitalized. Both were long-term-care facilities housing adolescents, who had substantial contact with a community where mumps outbreaks were ongoing. This study suggests that mumps poses a small but real risk to both patients and staff in hospitals, particularly in long-term-care facilities caring for adolescents and young adults. In communities where mumps activity is ongoing, hospitals should consider identifying potentially susceptible staff members at risk for infection and offering vaccine. Likewise, susceptible patients in long-term-care facilities should be immunized.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1992

An application of the LePSA methodology for health education in leprosy.

This paper describes how the innovative LePSA technique can be used by community health workers to appropriately educate and increase compliance among leprosy patients. A lesson plan illustrating the interactive nature of the technique in a hypothetical Third World community is presented. The lesson plan, using MDT default, shows how the technique can elicit individual participation in a group setting and serve as both an educational and a behaviour change tool.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Involvement of women in community-directed treatment with ivermectin for the control of onchocerciasis in Rukungiri district, Uganda: a knowledge, attitude and practice study.

A study of knowledge, attitudes and practice was carried out in the Rukungiri district of Uganda, in order to investigate the involvement of women in community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), for the control of onchocerciasis. The data analysed came from interviews with 260 adult women (one from each of 260 randomly-selected households in 20 onchocerciasis-endemic communities), community informants, and participatory evaluation meetings (PEM) in eight communities. The women who had been treated with ivermectin in 1999 generally had more knowledge of the benefits of taking ivermectin, were more likely to have attended the relevant health-education sessions and were more involved in community decisions on the method of ivermectin distribution than the women who had not received ivermectin in that year. There were fewer female community-directed health workers (CDHW) than male CDHW in the communities investigated. The reasons for not attending health-education sessions, not participating in community meetings concerning the CDTI, and the reluctance of some women to serve as CDHW were investigated. The most common reasons given were domestic chores, a reluctance to express their views in meetings outside their own kinship group, suspicions that other women might take advantage of them, and a lack of interest. Most of the women interviewed (as well as other community members) felt that there were relatively few women CDHW. The women attributed this to a lack of interaction and trust amongst themselves, which resulted in more men than women being selected as CDHW. The rest of the community members were not against women working as CDHW. It is recommended that communities be encouraged to select women to serve as CDHW in the CDTI, and that the performances of male and female CDHW be compared.

Community Health Workers↗
PubMed2000

Understanding a work-family fit for single parents moving from welfare to work.

Teng and Pittman's model of "work-family fit" served as a theoretical base for exploring the experiences of families moving from welfare to work. Responding to open-ended telephone interview questions, 30 recently hired welfare recipients described factors that were needed for them to make a smooth transition into work, be successful at their jobs, and balance work and family. The individuals appeared to experience greater success when their own needs and the needs of their families were being met and when they were able to meet the demands of work, leading to greater work-family fit. Support from the workplace and other community sources, as well as participants' personal attributes contributed to this work-family fit. Specific strategies based on these findings are offered for employers, social workers, and community organizations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Tuberculosis case-finding through a village outreach programme in a rural setting in southern Ethiopia: community randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether case-finding through community outreach in a rural setting has an effect on case-notification rate, symptom duration, and treatment outcome of smear-positive tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: We randomly allocated 32 rural communities to intervention or control groups. In intervention communities, health workers from seven health centres held monthly diagnostic outreach clinics at which they obtained sputum samples for sputum microscopy from symptomatic TB suspects. In addition, trained community promoters distributed leaflets and discussed symptoms of TB during house visits and at popular gatherings. Symptomatic individuals were encouraged to visit the outreach team or a nearby health facility. In control communities, cases were detected through passive case-finding among symptomatic suspects reporting to health facilities. Smear-positive TB patients from the intervention and control communities diagnosed during the study period were prospectively enrolled. FINDINGS: In the 1-year study period, 159 and 221 cases of smear-positive TB were detected in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Case-notification rates in all age groups were 124.6/10(5) and 98.1/10(5) person-years, respectively (P = 0.12). The corresponding rates in adults older than 14 years were 207/10(5) and 158/10(5) person-years, respectively (P = 0.09). The proportion of patients with >3 months' symptom duration was 41% in the intervention group compared with 63% in the control group (P<0.001). Pre-treatment symptom duration in the intervention group fell by 55-60% compared with 3-20% in the control group. In the intervention and control groups, 81% and 75%, respectively of patients successfully completed treatment (P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: The intervention was effective in improving the speed but not the extent of case finding for smear-positive TB in this setting. Both groups had comparable treatment outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Impact of primary health care on child morbidity and mortality in rural Ghana: the Gomoa experience [corrected].

The impact of a combination of PHC intervention activities on child survival, growth, morbidity and mortality was assessed in three selected rural communities (Gomoa Fetteh, Gomoa Onyadze/Otsew Jukwa and Gomoa Mprumem) in the Central Region of Ghana from 1987 to 1990. EPI, provision of basic essential drugs and supplies for the treatment of common childhood diseases, treatment of the sick child, growth monitoring, health education, provision of antenatal services, family planning, training and supervision of Community Health Workers, disease surveillance and special studies were the major PHC strategies used to improve the health of the child and the pregnant woman in the three communities. These activities in their totality have had significant impact on morbidity and mortality in children under five and on maternal mortality in children under five and on maternal mortality over the study period 1987 to 1990. Although malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea diseases continue to be major causes of childhood morbidity, deaths due to these diseases have dramatically declined. Measles and other vaccine preventable diseases no longer contribute significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. Infant and under five mortality have been reduced from 114.6/1000 and 155.6/1000 live births to 40.8/1000 and 61.2/1000 live births respectively. The crude birth rates however, remain almost the same over the five year period (43 to 48/1000 pop.) but crude death rates have declined (11 to 12.4/1000 pop.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1987

Changes in sources of treatment occurring after inception of a community-based malaria control programme in Saradidi, Kenya.

To determine the changes in source of antimalarial treatment and perceptions about malaria after the initiation of a community-based malaria control programme in Saradidi, Kenya, two identical surveys were carried out; one in March 1982 (before the programme began in May 1982) and the other in December 1984. Three areas were involved: areas A and B had antimalarial treatment provided by village health helpers (VHH's) and area C had VHH's who did not provide treatment. Two groups of randomly selected women age 15 to 59 years were interviewed: 45 in survey 1 and 92 in survey 2. A decided change in the source of malaria treatment was observed. In the first survey, 52.9% of the respondents from areas A and B combined purchased antimalarial medicine from shops; other sources were government health facilities, mission clinics, and the Saradidi community clinic. By the second survey, 85.2% of the respondents in areas A and B obtained treatment from the VHH's; no significant change occurred in area C. In both surveys the leading reasons given for people purchasing drugs from shops was that the distance to health facilities was great, that no transport was available and that shops were open when emergencies occurred. The shopkeeper frequently advised which drug to take and the dosage as well as selling the drugs. For family illnesses of unknown aetiology most people (82.2% in survey 1 and 97.8%, in survey 2) went to a hospital or clinic. These results demonstrate that the malaria control programme in Saradidi has influenced both the source of antimalarials and the attitudes people have about malaria. In Saradidi, Kenya people chose to obtain antimalarial treatment and advice from community health workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Revisiting community participation.

Community participation in health is a complex entity that has been examined extensively in the literature and continues to be of great interest among community health workers. The genesis of the idea and its conceptual development are primarily attributed to large multinational health institutions, particularly the World Health Organization. However, the implementation of community participation is the ultimate responsibility of local health programme initiators. It is therefore at the local level where day to day realities of incorporating community participation into health service delivery are confronted. This paper reviews the value of community participation in health and provides a detailed examination of the challenges facing its implementation and sustainability. In 1978, the World Health Organization placed community participation squarely at the centre of their strategy to achieve Health For All By The Year 2000. As the year 2000 nears, it is time to critically re-examine the notion of community participation and the most pressing challenges to its viability.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed2005

Victims twice over: perceptions and experiences of injured workers.

The authors discuss the qualitative component of a participatory research project conducted in Toronto, Ontario, between 1999 and 2001. Injured workers, who were trained as peer researchers, conducted one-time, semistructured interviews with other injured workers (N = 17) and helped with inductive coding and analyzing the interview transcripts. The qualitative research group consisted of seven peer researchers, four academic researchers, and a community legal worker. The group recruited interviewees by advertising on bulletin boards and in newsletters and newspapers, and selected a diverse group of interviewees who had encountered problems with the return-to-work process. Interviewees believed that the process victimizes them and renders them powerless and dependent on others. Furthermore, they considered that health professionals and bureaucrats impede their rehabilitation. The authors suggest that injured workers should be included in the decision-making process of rehabilitation and rebuilding their lives.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

The meaning of community involvement in health: the perspective of primary health care communities.

The goal of this study was to establish the understanding and appreciation of the essence of PHC principles in the two Primary Health Care (PHC) communities. The PHC communities in this study referred to the people who were involved in the operation of the phenomenon, that is health professionals working in the health care centers and the communities served by these health care centers. It was hoped that the study would enhance the understanding of the importance of community involvement in health (CIH) in health care delivery, for both community members and health professionals. A case study method was used to conduct the study. Two community health centers in the Ethekwini health district, in Kwa Zulu Natal, were studied. One health center was urban based, the other was rural based. A sample of 31 participants participated in the study. The sample comprised of 8 registered nurses, 2 enrolled nurses, 13 community members and 8 community health workers. Data was collected using individual interviews and focus groups, and was guided by the case study protocol. The findings of the study revealed that in both communities, participants had different, albeit complementary, understanding of the term 'Community Involvement in Health' (CIH). Essentially, for these participants, CIH meant collaboration, co-operation and involvement in decision-making.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

Aid post and hospital orderlies: a vanishing breed?

A survey of all aid post and hospital orderlies was conducted in 1987 and 1988 to gather information about their sex, age, length of service, public service status, qualifications and work location. Information was collected for an estimated 71% of the total number of orderlies. A fifth of all orderlies--almost all of whom were men--were 55 years of age or over and almost half had served 20 years or more. Substantial provincial differences were evident, with Gulf, Northern and Enga provinces having the oldest orderlies. A quarter of the orderlies were public servants and 16% did not hold a certificate. The majority (70%) worked at the aid post level. health centre orderlies were older, less likely to hold a certificate and more likely to belong to the public service. Using the most conservative estimate, the orderly cadre is estimated to be short by almost 500 workers. The paper argues that considerable gains in both the cost and the quality of services could be achieved by replacing older, untrained orderlies with newly trained community health workers with clear job descriptions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[A drug revolving fund program for rural villages in the Philippines].

In 1994, a community-based drug revolving fund program was introduced in 10 pilot villages in the province of Tarlac, Philippines, as a component of a health project by the provincial health office and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The purpose of the program was to set up a cooperative drug store in each community in order to regularly provide rural residents with essential drugs at affordable prices. The following are the results and findings during the first two years of operation. 1. Collaboration with a local NGO facilitated implementation and management of the program, when socio-cultural consideration was necessary. Stable and prompt procurement of drugs was secured on a contract with a commercial wholesaler in Manila. 2. Out of the 105 kinds of pharmaceuticals that were sold both in the cooperative and commercial drug stores, 83% were less expensive than the average market price, and 51% were discounted more than 25% of the market price. 3. The levy of premiums was introduced to increase the cooperative fund with the consent of each community. The amount was 0.1-0.2% of the average family income. However, regular collection of premiums was difficult due to various reasons. The practice of the sales on credit was common in all pilot villages. 4. While the knowledge of community health workers, who were in charge drug sales, was improved after training sessions on rational drug use, it was not at a sufficient level yet. 5. When assisting a community-oriented health program, an exterior organization should try to encourage the community to generate its own solutions to operational difficulties, based on the socio-cultural context in the community.

Community Participation↗
PubMed2006

Aboriginal health workers and diabetes care in remote community health centres: a mixed method analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of employing Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) on delivery of diabetes care in remote community health centres, and to identify barriers related to AHWs' involvement in diabetes and other chronic illness care. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Three-year follow-up study of 137 Aboriginal people with type 2 diabetes in seven remote community health centres in the Northern Territory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Delivery of guideline-scheduled diabetes services; intermediate outcomes (glycated haemoglobin [HbA(1c)] and blood pressure levels); number and sex of AHWs at health centres over time; barriers to AHWs' involvement in chronic illness care. RESULTS: There was a positive relationship between the number of AHWs per 1000 residents and delivery of guideline-scheduled diabetes services (but not intermediate health outcomes). Presence of male AHWs was associated with higher adherence to the guidelines. Barriers to AHWs' involvement in chronic illness care included inadequate training, lack of clear role divisions, lack of stable relationships with non-Aboriginal staff, and high demands for acute care. CONCLUSIONS: Employing AHWs is independently associated with improved diabetes care in remote communities. AHWs have potentially important roles to play in chronic illness care, and service managers need to clearly define and support these roles.

Adult↗