OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Faith-based organization capacity, human resources, health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches, and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches. FINDINGS: The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities, and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD. Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations, sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty, limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation. CONCLUSION: The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of using community health workers (CHWs) to implement cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programmes within faith-based organizations in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Faith-based organization capacity, human resources, health programme sustainability/barriers and community members' knowledge were evaluated. Data on these aspects were gathered through a mixed method design consisting of in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 church leaders and health committee members from five churches, and of a survey of 167 adult congregants from two churches. FINDINGS: The delivery of a CVD prevention programme in faith-based organizations by CHWs is feasible. Many faith-based organizations already provide health programmes for congregants and involve non-health professionals in their health-care activities, and most congregants have a basic knowledge of CVD. Yet despite the feasibility of the proposed approach to CVD prevention through faith-based organizations, sociocultural and health-care barriers such as poverty, limited human and economic resources and limited access to health care could hinder programme implementation. CONCLUSION: The barriers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when defining CVD prevention programme policy and planning.
Authors: Erasmus Otolok-Tanga; Lynn Atuyambe; Colleen K Murphy; Karin E Ringheim; Sara Woldehanna Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2007-03 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: Rhonda BeLue; Titilayo A Okoror; Juliet Iwelunmor; Kelly D Taylor; Arnold N Degboe; Charles Agyemang; Gbenga Ogedegbe Journal: Global Health Date: 2009-09-22 Impact factor: 4.185
Authors: Echezona E Ezeanolue; Michael C Obiefune; Chinenye O Ezeanolue; John E Ehiri; Alice Osuji; Amaka G Ogidi; Aaron T Hunt; Dina Patel; Wei Yang; Jennifer Pharr; Gbenga Ogedegbe Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 26.763
Authors: Ama de-Graft Aikins; Daniel K Arhinful; Emma Pitchforth; Gbenga Ogedegbe; Pascale Allotey; Charles Agyemang Journal: Global Health Date: 2012-08-16 Impact factor: 4.185
Authors: Jennifer A Downs; Lucas D Fuunay; Mary Fuunay; Mary Mbago; Agrey Mwakisole; Robert N Peck; David J Downs Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2013-05-28 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Juliet Iwelunmor; Echezona E Ezeanolue; Collins O Airhihenbuwa; Michael C Obiefune; Chinenye O Ezeanolue; Gbenga G Ogedegbe Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-07-30 Impact factor: 3.295