Evaluating the Use of Community Health Workers to Provide Maternal Healthcare Services in Haiti

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  • February 28, 2019
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  • Fross, Caitlin
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management
Abstract
  • Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs) who provide maternal health care in reducing maternal mortality rates in Haiti. Methods: This study consists of three components: (1) a literature review to describe the Haitian health system and the current role of CHWs in providing maternal healthcare; (2) stakeholder interviews to solicit varied perspectives on the viability of engaging CHWs to provide maternal healthcare services in Haiti; and (3) a conceptual model to estimate the impact of two CHW interventions, promotion of skilled care for childbirth and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria (IPTp), on the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Results: Haiti's fragmented health system is ill-equipped to address the health needs of its population. Poor outcomes, such as high MMR, are due in part to a lack of human resources. The presence of CHWs offers an opportunity to fill a gap in resources and reduce MMR. By offering prenatal care services at the community level, CHWs may be able to lower rates of maternal mortality and link patients with the formal healthcare system. Conclusions: CHWs are currently involved in the implementation of both governmental and non-governmental healthcare programs in Haiti. They serve as the link between communities and the formal healthcare system; however, their capabilities in maternal healthcare are limited. Due to a combination of social norms and lack of technical competencies, CHWs are ill-suited to provide childbirth assistance or other highly skilled maternal healthcare services. However, given their position in the community, knowledge of the local context, and increased integration into the formal healthcare system, CHWs are well positioned to provide prenatal healthcare services and connect women to better skilled maternal health care.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Weinberger, Morris
Degree
  • Master of Science in Public Health
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2016
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  • 032e1e85-483c-4959-b34e-05ac516d8ee9

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