Explore a curated collection of tools and resources designed to support community health workers (CHWs) in enhancing their well-being and effectiveness. From training materials to evidence-based practices, our comprehensive resources empower CHWs to thrive in their vital roles, fostering stronger, healthier communities. Together, we are building a resilient healthcare system!
Utilizing Integrated Community Quality Improvement Approaches to Cultivate Innovative Ideas that Improve Uptake of Antenatal Care Services
Quality Improvement (QI) is a systematic approach aimed at measuring performance, identifying gaps, and implementing strategies to improve the quality of health services. It ensures consistent delivery of appropriate services to achieve desired health outcomes. A key component of this process is the establishment of Work Improvement Teams (WITs). Despite facility-based QI interventions being used […]
Voices from the Frontline: Mental Health Realities of CHWs in Kenya’s Evolving Health System- Findings from a Qualitative Study
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital in bridging informal and formal health systems, enhancing access to underserved populations. Despite their essential roles, they often contend with heavy workloads, limited structured support, and inconsistent compensation. While existing research has focused on their responsibilities, few studies have examined their lived experiences, particularly on their mental well-being (MWB). […]
Integrating Mental Well-being policies for community health workers in Kenya to strengthen community health system- Findings from a Qualitative Study
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are globally acknowledged as a vital health workforce and a bridge between informal community health systems and formal healthcare systems. In resource-constrained settings, CHWs are often the only point of contact with formal health services for many among the urban and rural poor. CHWs have heavy workloads, are under-prioritized, have minimal […]
Powerful actions, silent struggles: a photovoice study on mental wellbeing of community health workers in Nairobi and Kiambu counties
Community Health Workers (CHWs), locally known as Community Health Promoters (CHPs), are essential frontline providers of primary healthcare in underserved and low-resource settings. They are a vital link between the community and the community health system. Despite operating under high workloads and performing their tasks with minimal support as volunteers, their agency is seen in […]
Exploring mental wellbeing for community health workers in Kenya: Perspectives of policy makers
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are globally acknowledged as a vital health workforce and a bridge between informal community health systems, and formal healthcare facilities. In resource-constrained settings like Kenya, CHWs are often the only point of contact with formal health services for particularly poor people in urban and rural contexts. CHWs have heavy workloads, are […]
Study Brief: Strengthening Health Systems by Addressing Community Health Workers’ Mental Well-Being and Agency
The aim of SHINE’s research is to explore the stressors faced by Community Health Workers using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, and to co-develop, pilot, and evaluate holistic health system support packages in two different LMIC contexts – Bangladesh and Kenya. These packages will focus on strengthening CHWs’ mental well-being and agency, ultimately contributing […]
Strengthening health systems by addressing community health workers’ mental well-being and agency (NIHR-Shine)
Strengthening health systems involves recognizing the importance of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and addressing their mental well-being and agency. CHWs are vital in delivering healthcare services and bridging the gap between formal healthcare systems and local communities. However, they often face numerous challenges, including heavy workloads, limited resources, insufficient training, and inadequate support, which can […]