The Effect of Lay Health Worker Programmes on Mother and Child Health and Tuberculosis

This summary of evidence about the effect of lay health worker programmes (on mother and child health and tuberculosis) is derived from a Cochrane Review published in 2010. This video builds on a 7-page SUPPORT Summary of the same review, prepared for health policy makers in low and middle-income countries. The summary can be found at the SUPPORT web site, and the full systematic review at The Cochrane Library:

SUPPORT Summary abstract:
http://www.iecs.org.ar/support/iecs-visor-publicacion.php?cod_publicacion=13&...

Download pdf of SUPPORT Summary:
http://www.iecs.org.ar/support/iecs-chequear-pdf.php?cod_publicacion=13&o...

SUPPORT Summaries on other topics, relevant to health policy decisions in low and middle income countries:
http://www.iecs.org.ar/support/iecs-visor-publicaciones.php

The full systematic review at the Cochrane Library:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/o/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD004015/frame.html

Full systematic review reference:
Lewin S, Munabi-Babigumira S, Glenton C, Daniels K, Bosch-Capblanch X, van Wyk BE, Odgaard-Jensen J, Johansen M, Aja GN, Zwarenstein M, Scheel IB. Lay health workers in primary and community health care for maternal and child health and the management of infectious diseases. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004015. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004015.pub3.

We welcome your comments and feedback on this video, which is a pilot project for dissemination evidence from systematic reviews to broad audiences.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• evidence-based
• systematic review
• health systems research
• health care
• developing countries
• primary health care
• lay health workers
• village health workers
• community volunteers
• peer counsellors
• substitution
• task shifting
• human resources for health
• maternal and child health
• child mortality
• CamtasiaForMac
• educational

[RosenbaumSarah]

Thanks very much for your feedback!

We are aiming to use language that is accessible for the general public, but without losing the scientific message. Maybe you could point out which specific terms you found too "booky" or scientific? That would help us next time around.

[RosenbaumSarah]

We welcome any comments large and small to this video, as well as to this approach of presenting evidence. The captions can be automatically translated to other languages (through Google translate) by clicking the orange "cc" button on menu bar under the video and choosing "Translate captions". However, if you are interested in contributing to this project with a manual translation of the English captions to another language, please contact me: sarah.rosenbaum@kunnskapssente­ret.no

Thanks!

[mahdianmina]

I like this idea, but I think that the video can be technically further improved to attract the attention of the audience. The narration tone is very constant and more effects could be added to make it more eye catching. Also, I think if this is addressing lay people, it may be better t ouse more non-technical terms... something a little less book wise and scientific, a language with is actually tangible for the lay people.. but I think this is an awesome idea :)

[Liamo2908]

Most studies did not report on adverse effects or cost. In another review, we looked for cost-effectiveness evaluations of lay health workers (LHWs) for immunisation, but found little (Corluka A et al 2009). Some trials did measure outcomes related to use of services, but not social acceptance. We are carrying out a systematic review of qualitative research into LHW programmes for maternal and child health that should offer more information. User tests are planned. Thanks! Claire Glenton

[yamlark]

i would like to know if there were any adverse effects measured in any of these trials? or acceptance/ uptake by communities?also, whether the cost of employing layworkers was calculated? so that a low income country can decide if the application of these interventions is 'worthwhile' ... or if there is a net benefit.

thank you for posting it in a video format. since i am involved with systematic reviews i could understand perfectly, i am not sure what a lay person would make of this:)