An integrated approach of community health worker support for HIV/AIDS and TB care in Angónia district, Mozambique

• Main Authors: Ford Nathan, Candrinho Baltazar, Frieden Marthe, Chu Kathryn, Simon Sandrine, Schneider Helen, Biot Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-07-01
• Series: BMC International Health and Human Rights
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-698X/9/13

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The need to scale up treatment for HIV/AIDS has led to a revival in community health workers to help alleviate the health human resource crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Community health workers have been employed in Mozambique since the 1970s, performing disparate and fragmented activities, with mixed results.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A participant-observer description of the evolution of community health worker support to the health services in Angónia district, Mozambique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An integrated community health team approach, established jointly by the Ministry of Health and Médecins Sans Frontières in 2007, has improved accountability, relevance, and geographical access for basic health services.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The community health team has several advantages over 'disease-specific' community health worker approaches in terms of accountability, acceptability, and expanded access to care.</p>