Who is a community health worker? - a systematic review of definitions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community health workers (CHWs) can play vital roles in increasing coverage of basic health services. However, there is a need for a systematic categorisation of CHWs that will aid common understanding among policy makers, programme planners, and researchers.

Objective

To identify the common themes in the definitions and descriptions of CHWs that will aid delineation within this cadre and distinguish CHWs from other healthcare providers.

Design

A systematic review of peer-reviewed papers and grey literature.

Results

We identified 119 papers that provided definitions of CHWs in 25 countries across 7 regions. The review shows CHWs as paraprofessionals or lay individuals with an in-depth understanding of the community culture and language, have received

SUBMITTER: Olaniran A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5328349 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature