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Background: Sustainability of any Community health worker programme is determined by several internal and external factors and is highly context and region specific. We aimed to identify factors that influence the sustainability of a community health volunteer programme across the globe.
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Objective:To explore the application value of ultrasound in the early noninvasive monitoring of acute compartment syndrome model, and to provide reference for further clinical applications.Methods:This was a prospective self-controlled study. A model of healthy volunteers with acute compartment syndrome was established by cuff compression. The random method was used to determine the experimental side and the control side. The experimental side cuff was given 0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mmHg pressure in sequence, while the control side cuff was kept uncompressed at all times. Each pressure on the experimental side lasted for 5 min, during which the ultrasound was used to measure the blood flow waveform and vascular structure of the bilateral popliteal artery, popliteal vein and dorsal plantar artery. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance.Results:The study included 25 healthy volunteers. There was no statistically significant difference in calf circumference and anterior tibial compartment thickness ( P = 0.314 and 0.678). During compression, the volunteers' heart rate and blood pressure were stable ( P = 0.235 and 0.358). On the experimental side, the maximum blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery during systole increased with the increase of pressure ( P<0.001), and the minimum blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery increased with the increase of pressure ( P<0.001). When pressurized by 30 mmHg, the maximum blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery on the experimental side was significantly higher than that on the control side [(73 ± 19) cm/s vs (59 ± 14) cm/s, P=0.023)]. When pressurized by 20 mmHg, the minimum blood flow velocity of the popliteal artery on the experimental side was significantly higher than that on the control side [(-28 ± 8) cm/s vs (-22 ± 6) cm/s, P=0.012)]. With the increase of pressure, the diastolic retrograde arterial flow ratio of the experimental side gradually increased ( P <0.001), and when the pressure was increased by 20 mmHg, the diastolic retrograde arterial flow ratio of the experimental side of the popliteal artery increased significantly [(0.42 ± 0.14) cm/s vs (0.30 ± 0.12) cm/s, P=0.009)]. The systolic prograde arterial flow ratio of the dorsal artery in the experimental side decreased with the increase of pressure ( P = 0.024). Conclusions:Increased limb compartment pressure can significantly change the arterial flow waveform of the proximal and distal arteries, and ultrasound can be used as an early monitoring tool for acute compartment syndrome.
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Background: Village health volunteers (VHVs) are key agents for malaria control in community. The Myanmar Medical Association-Malaria (MMA-Malaria) Project has promoted effective malaria control in endemic and high-risk townships by supporting roles of VHVs. Objectives: To assess the roles of VHVs on malaria control and factors enhancing their roles in rural Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five townships where the MMA-Malaria Project has been implemented. One hundred and fifty VHVs were sampled from five townships by simple random sampling. Data were collected by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires, which covered sociodemographic, supportive, motivational factors, and roles of malaria control. Studied variables were described by proportions, means, and standard deviations and were analyzed for their association by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and Chi-square tests. Results: Most of VHVs (96%) expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but only 44.0% exhibited current roles at a good level. Factors enhancing their roles were female (P = 0.037), family income ?50,001 kyat/month (P < 0.015), time serving as a volunteer 1�years (P = 0.006), good knowledge of malaria control (P < 0.001), good family support (P < 0.001), good community support (P < 0.001), and good motivational factors (P = 0.002). Conclusion: VHVs are key agents for malaria control in community. Most of VHVs expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but less than half of them exhibited current roles at a good level. The systems and program for improving VHVs� knowledge, encouraging family and community support, and promoting motivation are essential for their better roles.
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@#Introduction: The increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and their prevalence has led Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia to introduce a community empowerment program “Komuniti Sihat, Perkasa Negara” acronymed as KOSPEN in July 2013. Thirty thousand community health volunteers have been trained nationwide up to May 2015. Objective: To identify the factors associated with knowledge on KOSPEN and its implementation among community health volunteers in Kulim District. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on simple random sampling was conducted among community health volunteers Kulim District. Volunteers participated in this study were 194. Data collected using self-administered questionnaire. All data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 22 involving descriptive and inferential statistics with significance level set at 0.05. Results: The study found that level of knowledge on KOSPEN is associated with employment status (p=0.02) and awareness level (p<0.001) among the community health volunteers. The level of implementation is associated with age (p=0.025), education level (p=0.007) and employment status (p=0.017) of the community health volunteers. Employment status (aOR=2.133, 95% CI=1.056-4.306, p=0.035) and awareness level (aOR=6.119, 95% CI=2.701-13.867 p<0.001) were predictors of level of knowledge on KOSPEN. Level of implementation of KOSPEN by the community health volunteers could be predicted by education level (aOR=4.085, 95% CI=1.299-12.851 p=0.016). Conclusion: Generally the KOSPEN volunteers had good knowledge on KOSPEN and implementation of KOSPEN program. However, there are still misconceptions among the KOSPEN volunteers regarding their functions and role. Therefore it is important to empower the volunteers with awareness on their roles, functions and good knowledge.
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About 700,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) have been deployed as community health volunteers throughout India over the last few years. The objective of our study was to assess adherence to selection criteria in the recruitment of ASHA workers and to assess their performance against their job descriptions in Karnataka state, India. A cross-sectional survey, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, was undertaken in 2012. Three districts, 12 taluks (subdistricts), and 300 villages were selected through a sequential sampling scheme. For the quantitative survey, 300 ASHAs and 1,800 mothers were interviewed using sets of structured questionnaire. For the qualitative study, programme officers were interviewed via in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Mean±SD age of ASHAs was 30.3±5.0 years, and about 90% (261/294) were currently married, with eight years of schooling. ASHAs were predominantly (>80%) involved in certain tasks: home-visits, antenatal counselling, delivery escort services, breastfeeding advice, and immunization advice. Performance was moderate (40-60%) for: drug provision for tuberculosis, caring of children with diarrhoea or pneumonia, and organizing village meetings for health action. Performance was low (<25%) for advice on: contraceptive-use, obstetric danger sign assessment, and neonatal care. This was self-reported by ASHAs and corroborated by mothers. In conclusion, ASHA workers were largely recruited as per preset selection criteria with regard to age, education, family status, income, and residence. The ASHA workers were found to be functional in some areas with scope for improvement in others. The role of an ASHA worker was perceived to be more of a link-worker/facilitator rather than a community health worker or a social activist.
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<b>Background:</b> Given the shortage of medical professionals in the Philippines, Barangay HealthWorkers (BHWs) may play a role in providing postpartum healthcare services.However, as there are no reports regarding BHW activities in postpartumhealthcare, we conducted this study to understandpostpartum healthcare services and exploring the challenges and motivations ofmaternal health service providers. <b>Methods:</b> Focus group interview (FGI) of 13participants was conducted as Qualitative Research Methodology at Muntinlupa City. The results were analyzed according tothe interview guide. The proceedingsof the FGI were transcribed verbatim, and researchers read and coded thetranscripts. The codes were then used to construct a categories. <b>Results:</b> Four important activities were highlighted among 11 analysiscodes. These activities were “Assessment of postpartum women’s conditions,”“Recommendation to visit a health facility,” “Measurement of blood-pressure andvitamin intake,” and “Providing postpartum health information.” Among fiveanalysis codes, we identified three challenges that BHWs face, which were “Nocurrent information regarding postpartum care,” “Some postpartum women do notwant to receive healthcare services from BHW,” and “Too many assigned postpartumwomen.” Among five analysis codes, we identified two reasons for continuing BHWactivities, which were “Hospitality to help postpartum women and their familyin the community” and “Performance of mission in providing BHW services.” <b>Conclusion:</b> This study is the first to evaluate BHW activities in postpartumhealthcare services. Our results indicate that BHWs may play an important rolein evaluating postpartum women’s physical and mental conditions throughhome-visiting services. However, several difficulties adversely affected theiractivities, and these must be addressed to maximize the contributions of BHWsto the postpartum healthcare system.
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Background: Given the shortage of medical professionals in the Philippines, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) may play a role in providing postpartum healthcare services. However, as there are no reports regarding BHW activities in postpartum healthcare, we conducted this study to understand postpartum healthcare services and to explore the challenges and motivations of maternal health service providers. Methods: Focus group interview (FGI) of 13 participants was conducted as qualitative research methodology at Muntinlupa City. The results were analyzed according to the interview guide. The proceedings of the FGI were transcribed verbatim, and researchers read and coded the transcripts. The codes were then used to construct categories. Results: Four important activities were highlighted among 11 analysis codes. These activities were “Assessment of postpartum women’s conditions,” “Recommendation to visit a health facility,” “Measurement of blood-pressure and vitamin intake,” and “Providing postpartum health information.” Among five analysis codes, we identified three challenges that BHWs face, which were “No current information regarding postpartum care,” “Some postpartum women do not want to receive healthcare services from BHW,” and “Too many assigned postpartum women.” Among five analysis codes, we identified two reasons for continuing BHW activities, which were “Hospitality to help postpartum women and their family in the community” and “Performance of mission in providing BHW services.” Conclusion: This study is the first to evaluate BHW activities in postpartum healthcare services. Our results indicate that BHWs play a potentially important role in evaluating postpartum women’s physical and mental conditions through home-visiting services. However, several difficulties adversely affected their activities, and these must be addressed to maximize the contributions of BHWs to the postpartum healthcare system.
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<B>Introduction</B><BR>One of the challenges related to global health is the imbalanced distribution of health professionals and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Under this situation, the importance of HIV/AIDS care with health volunteers has been recognized, especially in developing countries, which suffer from the double burden. A task shifting approach is encouraged among health professionals, as well as, between health professionals and non health professionals.<BR><B>Objective</B><BR>To discuss supportive surroundings for sustainable HIV/AIDS care with heath volunteers from the perspective of motivation.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>A literature review, where articles were searched and extracted through the PubMed database, was conducted in May, 2010. In total, 16 combinations with 11 keywords were used for searching. (First keyword: motivation, second keyword: HIV or AIDS, third keyword: community health aides, community health workers, community workers, lay counselors, adherence support workers, adherence counselors, care givers or volunteers)<BR><B>Results</B><BR>Among the 290 articles extracted, nine articles meeting the criteria of this literature review were selected. Eight articles were reported from developed countries and one article was from a developing country. About half of the study participants in six articles were People With HIV (PWH) or homosexuals. Through all articles, “altruism” and “self development” were recognized as motivation for health volunteers to join and maintain activities. Especially for continuity of activities, “support from other members and staff” and “recognition” were raised. Specific motivation from a developing country was the “ step to formal employment”.<BR><B>Discussion and Conclusion</B><BR>Regardless of developed- or developing- countries, fundamental motivation of health volunteers for HIV/AIDS care is similar. However, in developing countries, where health volunteers are adopted as part of the health system, adequate and continuous support and supervision are required more than in developed countries for sustainability of stable care provision. PWH can, also, play an active role as HIV/AIDS care providers by themselves, and they will be a key component for HIV/AIDS care. Further exploration is necessary to determine the motivation of health volunteers for HIV/AIDS care in developing countries where a task shifting approach is encouraged under a shortage of health professionals and HIV/AIDS epidemic.