Latest Articles
- Safety of adult medical male circumcision performed by non-physician clinicians in Kenya: a prospective cohort study
Trained, experienced nurses and clinical officers provided safe voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in public health facilities in Nyanza Province, Kenya, as evidenced by the low 2% adverse event rate (most commonly, excess swelling). Task shifting for male circumcision can improve access to quality VMMC services.
- Moving malaria in pregnancy programs from neglect to priority: experience from Malawi, Senegal, and Zambia
Program areas that were generally working well in malaria in pregnancy programs (MIP) included: (1) integration of MIP interventions into antenatal care; (2) development of up-to-date policies; (3) active involvement of communities; and (4) development of capacity-building materials for training. Challenges remain in the areas of: (1) commodities; (2) quality assurance; (3) monitoring and evaluation; and (4) financing.
- Scaling up delivery of contraceptive implants in sub-Saharan Africa: operational experiences of Marie Stopes International
Between 2008 and 2012, Marie Stopes International (MSI) provided 1.7 million contraceptive implants in sub-Saharan Africa as part of a comprehensive method mix, primarily through mobile outreach using dedicated MSI providers and also through social franchising and MSI-run clinics. Large-scale access, quality, and informed choice were key elements of MSI's strategy.
- Taking knowledge for health the extra mile: participatory evaluation of a mobile phone intervention for community health workers in Malawi
A participatory evaluation process called Net-Map showed that providing community health workers (CHWs) with mobile phones and essential technical information changed CHWs, from passive recipients of information with little influence to active information agents who sought and provided information to improve health services.
- mHealth resources to strengthen health programs
A suite of resources provides implementation guidance for mHealth initiatives, particularly in less developed countries. The suite includes an eLearning course, online guide, evidence database, and a High-Impact Practices brief, along with the mHealth Working Group and website.
- SMS versus voice messaging to deliver MNCH communication in rural Malawi: assessment of delivery success and user experience
Mobile SMS health messages had higher successful delivery and led to higher intended or actual behavior change among subscribers than voice messages. Providing multiple delivery modalities led to greater overall access.
- It's about time: WHO and partners release programming strategies for postpartum family planning
The postpartum period is a critical time to address high unmet family planning need and to reduce the risks of closely spaced pregnancies. Practical tools are included in the new resource for integrating postpartum family planning at points when women have frequent health system contact, including during antenatal care, labor and delivery, postnatal care, immunization, and child health care.
- Keeping community health workers in Uganda motivated: key challenges, facilitators, and preferred program inputs
In Uganda, community-based health programs using volunteers should focus on strengthening support systems to address transportation and stockout issues and on improving links with the health structure while reinforcing effort recognition, status, and acquisition of new skills.