Community Health Workers' Provision of Family Planning Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness

Studies in Family Planning
Valerie K ScottNuriye Ortayli

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the strength of the evidence that community health workers' (CHW) provision of family planning (FP) services in low- and middle-income countries is effective. In a search of eight databases, articles were screened by study design and outcome measure and ranked by strength of evidence. Only randomized trials, longitudinal studies with a comparison group, and pre-test/post-test studies met inclusion criteria. A total of 56 studies were included. Of those studies with relevant data, approximately 93 percent indicated that CHW FP programs effectively increased the use of modern contraception, while 83 percent reported an improvement in knowledge and attitudes concerning contraceptives. Based on these findings, strong evidence exists for promoting CHW programs to improve access to FP services. We recommend a set of best practice guidelines that researchers and program managers can use to report on CHW FP programs to facilitate the translation of research to practice across a wide range of settings.

References

Jan 1, 1989·Social Science & Medicine·M L JacobsonS A Carter
Mar 16, 1974·Lancet·A G Rosenfield
Feb 24, 2001·Studies in Family Planning·M LuckM O George
Aug 18, 2005·The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care·Shayesteh JahanfarRohangiz Jamshidi
Oct 8, 2005·Studies in Family Planning·John M PaxmanCharles Stover
Dec 21, 2006·Education for Health : Change in Training & Practice·J-J Guilbert
Aug 10, 2007·International Quarterly of Community Health Education·William B WardMatilda E Pappoe
Aug 10, 2007·International Quarterly of Community Health Education·Louisiana LushMuhammad Shafiq Ahmad
Nov 27, 2007·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·John StanbackMartha Bekiita
Jul 28, 2009·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·David MoherUNKNOWN PRISMA Group
Apr 30, 2010·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·Douglas HuberAbdul Khalil Samadi
Apr 6, 2011·Studies in Family Planning·Tom LutaloRonald H Gray
May 17, 2011·Contraception·Shawn MalarcherJohn Stanback
Jun 29, 2011·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Claire GlentonGeorge H Swingler
Aug 13, 2011·Studies in Family Planning·Lisa MwaikamboFariyal Fikree
Aug 13, 2011·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·Ndola PrataAshley Fraser
Oct 8, 2011·Malawi Medical Journal : the Journal of Medical Association of Malawi·Boniface Kalanda
Jul 27, 2012·International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·Mary Philip SebastianRukma Idnani
Mar 21, 2013·Studies in Family Planning·Unnati Rani Saha, Arthur van Soest
Oct 3, 2014·Global Health, Science and Practice·Alice Auma OlawoIsaac Malonza

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 18, 2020·Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters·Wan-Ju WuSheela Maru
Jul 3, 2020·Social Work in Health Care·Gretchen E ElyEugene Maguin
Sep 5, 2020·Implementation Science Communications·Jessica HaughtonElva M Arredondo
Oct 31, 2017·Population and Development Review·Amy O TsuiQingfeng Li

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.