A scoping review of the roles, challenges, and strategies for enhancing the performance of community health workers in the response against COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries.
Background: Global concerns regarding effective response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic arose amid the swift spread of the virus to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. Although LMICs instituted several measures to mitigate spread of the virus in low resource settings, including task...
| Publicado en: | BMC Primary Care Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 1 - 17 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
| Formato: | research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
BioMed Central
5/14/2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=185156381&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 185156381 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 27314553 MZZU jtl: BMC Primary Care issn: 27314553 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: 5/14/2025 vid: 26 iid: 1 pid: 24147 pub: BioMed Central artinfo: ui: 185156381 185156381 185156381 10.1186/s12875-025-02853-7 185156381 ppf: 1 ppct: 16 formats: tig: atl: A scoping review of the roles, challenges, and strategies for enhancing the performance of community health workers in the response against COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries. aug: au: Zulu, Joseph Mumba Silumbwe, Adam Munakampe, Margarate Chavula, Malizgani Paul Mulubwa, Chama Sirili, Nathanael Zulu, Wanga Michelo, Charles Tetui, Moses affil: https://ror.org/03gh19d69 Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, PO Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia sug: subj: Community Health Workers Psychosocial Factors Professional Role Job Performance COVID-19 Prevention and Control Low and Middle Income Countries Human Scoping Review PubMed Cochrane Library Thematic Analysis Data Analysis Software COVID-19 Pandemic Health Promotion Health Education Disease Surveillance Contact Tracing Primary Health Care Quarantine Referral and Consultation Vaccination Coverage Stigma Health Policy Salaries and Fringe Benefits Employee Incentive Programs Digital Health ab: Background: Global concerns regarding effective response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic arose amid the swift spread of the virus to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. Although LMICs instituted several measures to mitigate spread of the virus in low resource settings, including task shifting certain demand and supply functions to community actors such as community health workers (CHWs), there remains a lack of synthesized evidence on these experiences and lessons. This scoping review sought to synthesize evidence regarding the roles and challenges faced by CHWs during the fight against COVID-19, along with strategies to address these challenges. Methodology: We systematically searched several major electronic databases including PubMed, HINARI, Cochrane Library (Reviews and Trials), Science Direct and Google Scholar for relevant literature. The search strategy was designed to capture literature published in LMICs on CHWs roles during COVID-19 period spanning 2019–2023. Two researchers were responsible for retrieving these studies, and critically reviewed them in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley scoping review approach. In total, 22 articles were included and analysed using Clarke and Braun thematic analysis in NVivo 12 Pro Software. Results: Community health workers (CHWs) played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic. They engaged in health promotion and education, conducted surveillance and contact tracing, supported quarantine efforts, and maintained essential primary health services. They also facilitated referrals, advocated for clients and communities, and contributed to vaccination planning and coordination, including tracking and follow-up. However, CHWs faced significant challenges, including a lack of supplies, inadequate infection prevention and control measures, and stigma from community members. Additionally, they encountered limited supportive policies, insufficient remuneration and incentives. To enhance CHWs' performance, regular training on preventive measures is essential. Utilizing digital technology, such as mobile health, can be beneficial. Establishing collaborative groups through messaging platforms and prioritizing access to COVID-19 vaccines are important steps. Additionally, delivering wellness programs and providing quality protective equipment for CHWs are crucial for their effectiveness. Conclusion: The study found that CHWs are vital actors within the health system during global pandemics like COVID-19. This entails the need for increased support and investment to better integrate CHWs into health systems during such crises, which could ultimately contribute to sustaining the credibility of CHWs programs and foster more inclusive community health systems (CHSs). pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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