The effect of supervision on community health workers' effectiveness with households in rural South Africa: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community health workers (CHWs) can supplement professional medical providers, especially in rural settings where resources are particularly scarce. Yet, outcomes of studies evaluating CHWs effectiveness have been highly variable and lack impact when scaled nationally. This study examines if child and maternal outcomes are better when existing government CHWs, who are perinatal home visitors, receive ongoing enhanced supervision and monitoring, compared to standard care.

Methods and findings

A cluster randomized controlled effectiveness trial was conducted comparing outcomes over 2 years when different supervision and support are provided. Primary health clinics were randomized by clinic to receive monitoring and supervision from either (1) existing supervisors (S

SUBMITTER: Rotheram-Borus MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9980736 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature