ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Faith-based organization capacity, human resources, health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches, and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches. FINDINGS: The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities, and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD. Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations, sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty, limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation. CONCLUSION: The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Community Health Workers , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Religion and Medicine , Adult , Feasibility Studies , Female , Focus Groups , Ghana , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Objective To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra; Ghana. Methods Faith-based organization capacity; human resources; health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches; and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches. Findings The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities; and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD. Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations; sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty; limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation. Conclusion The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/organization & administration , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Community Health Workers , Feasibility Studies , Ghana , Health PromotionABSTRACT
Many children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) display problematic behaviors similar to those seen in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This paper will look at the controversy concerning diagnosing comorbid ADHD in children who meet criteria for PDD and review the existing literature examining the efficacy of stimulants in these particular set of behaviors or symptom clusters (hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention). The potential drawbacks of using stimulants in a population of children and adolescents who exhibit symptoms of PDD and ADHD will be discussed. Finally, this review will also attempt to define potential areas of future research to examine the utility of the psychostimulants in children and adolescents with PDD and symptoms of ADHD.
