IPCHS. Integrated People-Centred Health Services

Publications

This growing repository holds WHO documents, scientific publications, policy documents, implementation reports, presentations and others with information and insights about integrated people-centred health services. Share your publication by clicking “Add publication”.

Feb. 8, 2022 Africa

Developing a patient-centered community-based model for management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Uganda: a discrete choice experiment

The advent of all-oral regimens for the management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) makes the implementation of community-based directly observed therapy (CB-DOT) a possibility for this group of patients. We set out to determine patient preferences for different attributes of a community-based model for the management of MDR-TB in Uganda. The preferred model consisted of a CHW giving DOT at home and travel vouchers to enable attendance of monthly clinic follow-up visits to tertiary referral hospitals for treatment monitoring. People with MDR-TB prefer to be supported to take their medicine at home by a member of their community. 

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Feb. 2, 2022 Africa

Integrating Care for Diabetes and Hypertension with HIV Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

 Although HIV continues to have a high prevalence among adults in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and hypertension is increasing rapidly. There is an urgent need to expand the capacity of healthcare systems in SSA to provide NCD services and scale up existing chronic care management pathways. A scoping review mapped extant policy and evidence based literature on the feasibility of integrating NCD care with HIV in the region.

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Jan. 11, 2022 Africa

The contribution of family physicians to primary health care: Experiences from southwest Nigeria

Although an emerging speciality in Africa, family medicine contributes significantly to African health systems. Leadership from family physicians can enable the delivery of high-quality primary health care that is accessible, comprehensive, coordinated, continuous and person-centred. This short report chronicles how family physicians from a university teaching hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, adopted a health post located in a home for persons with mild physical and mental disabilities and changed it into a hub of comprehensive, holistic and person-centred care for residents and staff of the home, as well as individuals and families in the neighbouring communities and its environs.

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Dec. 20, 2021 Africa

Malaria amongst febrile children: call for a pediatric malaria assessment tool

In 2017, malaria accounted for 435 000 deaths worldwide. Eleven percent (11%) of these deaths occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where malaria continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Children are amongst the most vulnerable to malaria, which causes 40% of childhood deaths in the country. A pediatric malaria assessment tool incorporating socio-demographics, symptoms and physical exam findings may guide investigations to reduce unnecessary testing and provide better patient-centred care.

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Dec. 13, 2021 Africa

Midwives' perspectives on person-centred maternity care in public hospitals in South-east Nigeria: A mixed-method study

Person-centred maternity care (PCMC) is acknowledged as essential for achieving improved quality of care during labour and childbirth. Yet, evidence of healthcare providers’ perspectives of person-centred maternity care is scarce in Nigeria. In this study, midwives’ perceived PCMC was not significantly related to any socio-demographic characteristics. Respectful care, empathetic caregiving, prompt initiation of care, paying attention to women, psychosocial support, trust, and altruism enhanced PCMC. 

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Dec. 9, 2021 Africa

Effectiveness and Coverage of Treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition Delivered by Community Health Workers in the Guidimakha Region, Mauritania

Geographical and economic access barriers to health facilities (HF) have been identified as some of the most important causes of the low coverage of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) treatment. This study demonstrates that the decentralization model of CHWs treating SAM improves acute malnutrition treatment coverage and complies with the international quality standards for community treatment of acute malnutrition. 

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Dec. 9, 2021 Africa

“We have to learn to cooperate with each other”: a qualitative study to explore integration of traditional healers into the provision of HIV self-testing and tuberculosis screening in Eswatini

Traditional healing plays an important role in healthcare in Eswatini, and innovative collaborations with traditional healers may enable hard-to-reach men to access HIV and tuberculosis diagnostic services. Offering HIV self-testing kits and sputum containers through traditional healers led to high HIV yields, but no TB diagnoses. The intervention was appreciated by healers’ clients, due to the cultural literacy of traditional healers and practical considerations. Scaling-up this approach could bridge testing gaps if traditional healers are supported, but procedures for receiving sputum samples at health facilities need further strengthening.

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Nov. 29, 2021 Africa

Community Perceptions of Person-Centered Maternity Care in Migori County, Kenya

Community perceptions of quality of maternal healthcare services—including Person-centered maternity care (PCMC)—influences the health-seeking behavior of women. his study aimed to examine community perceptions of PCMC and its associated factors. The findings imply that community perceptions of PCMC, particularly related to communication and autonomy, are poor. Given the effects of these perceptions on use of maternal health services, there is a need to improve PCMC.

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Nov. 26, 2021 Africa

Linkage to TB care: A qualitative study to understand linkage from the patients’ perspective in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Delayed linkage to tuberculosis (TB) treatment leads to poor patient outcomes and increased onward transmission. Between 12% and 25% of people diagnosed with TB are never linked to a primary health care facility for continued care. The health care system, especially in hospitals, should focus on strengthening patient-centred care. Communication and clear messaging on TB processes is key, to prepare patients in transitioning from a hospital setting to PHC facilities for continuation of care. 

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Nov. 22, 2021 Africa

Person-centered antenatal care and associated factors in Rwanda: a secondary analysis of program data

Research suggests that women’s experience of antenatal care is an important component of high-quality antenatal care. Person-centered antenatal care (PCANC) reflects care that is both respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs, and values of pregnant women.

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