Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30115074›Full record

SynthesisHuman resources for health2018

What do we know about community-based health worker programs? A systematic review of existing reviews on community health workers.

Kerry Scott, S W Beckham, Margaret Gross, George Pariyo, Krishna D Rao, Giorgio Cometto, Henry B Perry

2 registry-linked trialsAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Human resources for health, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 383 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
383citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06716450 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

A Study to Evaluate the Accuracy, Usability and Readability of the Multiplo® TP/HIV Antibody Self-Test Performed by Observed Intended Users in Canada and the Impact of Peer-led HIV and Syphilis Care Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Toronto

TypeinterventionalSponsorUnity Health TorontoRan2025 to 2026Enrolled900ConditionsHIV Infection, Syphilis InfectionArmsMultiplo TP/HIV Antibody Test
NCT07004608 completednot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

The Effectiveness Of A Community-based Video-facilitated Parenting Intervention For Child Development Integrated Into Routine Maternal And Child Care Services In India: Study Protocol

TypeobservationalSponsorSangathRan2023 to 2024Enrolled1,824ConditionsChild Development, Child Nutrition and Early Child DevelopmentArmsAalana Palana
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

383 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  8. Home-based educational interventions for children with asthma.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
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323 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kerry ScottDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America. kscott26@jhu.edu.ORCID 0000-0003-3597-9637
S W BeckhamDepartment of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America.
Margaret GrossWelch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1900 E Monument Street, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America.
George PariyoDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America.
Krishna D RaoDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America.
Giorgio ComettoHealth Workforce Department, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland.
Henry B PerryDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21205, United States of America.

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo synthesize current understanding of how community-based health worker (CHW) programs can best be designed and operated in health systems.

methodsWe searched 11 databases for review articles published between 1 January 2005 and 15 June 2017. Review articles on CHWs, defined as non-professional paid or volunteer health workers based in communities, with less than 2 years of training, were included. We assessed the methodological quality of the reviews according to AMSTAR criteria, and we report our findings based on PRISMA standards.

findingsWe identified 122 reviews (75 systematic reviews, of which 34 are meta-analyses, and 47 non-systematic reviews). Eighty-three of the included reviews were from low- and middle-income countries, 29 were from high-income countries, and 10 were global. CHW programs included in these reviews are diverse in interventions provided, selection and training of CHWs, supervision, remuneration, and integration into the health system. Features that enable positive CHW program outcomes include community embeddedness (whereby community members have a sense of ownership of the program and positive relationships with the CHW), supportive supervision, continuous education, and adequate logistical support and supplies. Effective integration of CHW programs into health systems can bolster program sustainability and credibility, clarify CHW roles, and foster collaboration between CHWs and higher-level health system actors. We found gaps in the review evidence, including on the rights and needs of CHWs, on effective approaches to training and supervision, on CHWs as community change agents, and on the influence of health system decentralization, social accountability, and governance.

conclusionEvidence concerning CHW program effectiveness can help policymakers identify a range of options to consider. However, this evidence needs to be contextualized and adapted in different contexts to inform policy and practice. Advancing the evidence base with context-specific elements will be vital to helping these programs achieve their full potential.

Indexed as

Guidelines as TopicProfessional RoleAdultCommunity Health ServicesCommunity Health WorkersFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedReview Literature as TopicSalaries and Fringe Benefits

Identifiers

PMID30115074
PMCPMC6097220

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.