Publications

The aim of the present study is to assess the cost–effectiveness of community-based practitioner programmes with different design features across three countries – Ethiopia, Indonesia and Kenya – in which these initiatives have been implemented to scale.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is a major focus area in South Sudan’s national health policy; the Reproductive Health Strategic Plan (2013-2016) has identified family planning as a key strategy for achieving the nation’s reproductive and public health goals. The strategy includes the launch of a national health and family life education campaign, initiatives to help couples make informed choices, and explicitly to encourage the involvement of men in the process.

Skin diseases are common and cause considerable morbidity worldwide. Lack of awareness of symptoms among the majority of lay people^1,2 and lack of knowledge about skin diseases among first- and second-line health care providers have contributed to underestimations.³ Household surveys (including people not seeking treatment) before 2000 report point prevalence rates of 27%–53%,^2,4,5 while it was 62%–87%^6,7 after 2000. This increase may be due to the rising industrialization in developing countries, or different definitions of skin diseases as suggested by Abdel-Hafez et al.⁶ In Sub-Saharan Africa, population-based studies in primary schools report point prevalence rates of 27% and 74%.^8–11 Community-based studies by Mahé et al¹² and Odueko et al¹³ report that respectively 11.7% and 9.8% of the patients consulted primary health centers with skin-related symptoms.

Many European countries are faced with health workforce shortages and the need to develop effective recruitment and retention (R&R) strategies. Yet comparative studies on R&R in Europe are scarce. This paper provides an overview of the measures in place to improve the R&R of health professionals across Europe and offers further insight into the evidence base for R&R; the interaction between policy and organisational levels in driving R&R outcomes; the facilitators and barriers throughout these process; and good practices in the R&R of health professionals across Europe. The study adopted a multi-method approach combining an extensive literature review and multiple-case study research. 64 publications were included in the review and 34 R&R interventions from 20 European countries were included in the multiple-case study. We found a consistent lack of evidence about the effectiveness of R&R interventions. Most interventions are not explicitly part of a coherent package of measures but they tend to involve multiple actors from policy and organisational levels, sometimes in complex configurations. A list of good practices for R&R interventions was identified, including context-sensitivity when implementing and transferring interventions to different organisations and countries. While single R&R interventions on their own have little impact, bundles of interventions are more effective. Interventions backed by political and executive commitment benefit from a strong support base and involvement of relevant stakeholders.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is a major focus area in South Sudan’s national health policy; the Reproductive Health Strategic Plan (2013-2016) has identified the improvement of access to and utilization of health facilities by all individuals as a key strategy for achieving the nation’s reproductive and public health goals. The strategy focuses on increasing access to and utilization of antenatal care, postnatal care and facility/skilled deliveries .

Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as an integral component of the health workforce needed to achieve public health goals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many factors intersect to influence CHW performance. A systematic review with a narrative analysis was conducted to identify contextual factors influencing performance of CHWs.

This study sought to synthesize and critically review evidence on costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker (CHW) programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to inform policy dialogue around their role in health systems.

Donors are increasingly interested in agricultural growth and economic development. The persistence of poverty in rural areas and the role of agriculture in climate change and food security, has renewed interest in smallholder and family farming for development solutions.

Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as an integral component of the health workforce needed to achieve public health goals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many factors intersect to influence CHW performance. A systematic review with a narrative analysis was conducted to identify contextual factors influencing performance of CHWs.

CATALIST-Uganda aims to sustainably commercialize smallholder agriculture through improved productivity and market development. Marketable surpluses resulting from the programme will both raise farm incomes in Uganda, and increase regional food security for the wider East Africa and Great Lakes Region. The four-year CATALIST-Uganda project is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and began on July 1, 2012

Health extension workers (HEWs) in Ethiopia have a unique position, connecting communities to the health sector. This intermediary position requires strong interpersonal relationships with actors in both the community and health sector, in order to enhance HEW performance. This study aimed to understand how relationships between HEWs, the community and health sector were shaped, in order to inform policy on optimizing HEW performance in providing maternal health services.

“Nine billion by 2050” is a commonly cited prediction on global population growth that frames arguments about access to natural resources, as well as the future supply of sufficient and nutritious food. Solutions for meeting food needs and for mitigating environmental constraints include: sustainable agricultural practices; innovative technologies to increase productivity and improve food chain efficiency; and, improved market access for farmers. But these solutions tend to be technologically biased, focusing on agricultural and value chain technologies – without enough attention given to gender and social disparities (Beuchelt & Badshue 2013; Pyburn 2014).

Mozambique launched its revitalized community health programme in 2010 in response to inequitable coverage and quality of health services. The programme is focused on health promotion and disease prevention, with 20 % of community health workers’ (known in Mozambique as Agentes Polivalentes Elementares (APEs)) time spent on curative services and 80 % on activities promoting health and preventing illness. We set out to conduct a health system and equity analysis, exploring experiences and expectations of APEs, community members and healthcare workers supervising APEs.