Community health workers programme in Luanda, Angola: an evaluation of the implementation process.

BACKGROUND: The Community Health Workers (CHWs) Programme was launched in Luanda, Angola, in 2007 as an initiative of the provincial government. The aim of this study was to assess its implementation process. METHODS: This is a case study with documental analysis, CHWs reports data, individual interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: Until June 2009, the programme had placed in the community 2,548 trained CHWs, providing potential coverage for 261,357 families. Analysis of qualitative data suggested an association of CHWs with improvements in maternal and child access to health care, as well as an increase in the demand for health services, generating further need to improve service capacity. Nevertheless, critical points for programme sustainability were identified. CONCLUSIONS: For continuity and scaling up, the programme needs medium- and long-term technical, political and financial support. The results of this study may be useful in strengthening and reformulating the planning of the CHWs programme in Luanda and in Angola. Moreover, the lessons learned with this experience can also provide insight for the development of CHWs programmes in other parts of the world. By means of cooperation, Brazil has supported the implementation of this CHWs programme and can potentially contribute to its improvement.

Health and health care of mothers and children in a suburban area of Luanda, Angola.

Population health data available in Angola are often insufficient to guide the planning of health interventions. To address this gap, the goal of the present study was to investigate the health of mothers and infants in a suburban municipality in Luanda (Cacuaco), in order to provide a baseline for future comparisons. This was a prevalence study investigating infants younger than 2 years of age and their mothers. Mothers were interviewed, and children's height and weight were measured. Of 749 mothers interviewed, 98.5% (95% CI 98.2-99.1%) had at least one prenatal visit and 51.7% (95% CI 47.4-56.3%) had a health card. Most mothers with a health card had their first prenatal visit before the 20th week of pregnancy, and had at least four prenatal visits; 81.1% (95% CI 78.3-84.1%) of mothers also had their child's health card. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 19% (95% CI 16.2-23.1%). Prevalence of low height-for-age and low BMI-for-age were 32 and 6%, respectively. Mothers with higher education levels were more likely to have had their first prenatal visit earlier, to have had more prenatal visits, to have given birth at a health facility, and to have her own and her child's health cards. Results showed a high prevalence of prenatal care and a low frequency of acute malnutrition. Maternal education level, among factors studied, was the predominant correlate of more positive health behaviors. These findings suggest important progress of mother and child health in Cacuaco, and may serve as a baseline for the planning of health interventions.

Interview with Antonio Carlile Holanda Lavor: we must invest in research to learn how to guide families against COVID-19. / Entrevista com Antonio Carlile Holanda Lavor: é preciso investir em pesquisas para aprender como orientar as famílias contra a Covid-19.

In this interview, public health physician Antônio Carlile Holanda Lavor with 57-year career and long and broad experience in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) management, especially in primary health care, talks about his management at the head of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation unit in Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), from 2008 to the present moment. Known internationally for institutionalizing the Health Worker Program in Ceará in 1987, he discusses the process of implementing Fiocruz-CE and the role of research in guiding the work of the Family Health Strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nesta entrevista, Antônio Carlile Holanda Lavor, médico sanitarista, com 57 anos de carreira, longa e ampla experiência na gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em especial na atenção primária à saúde, fala sobre sua gestão a frente da unidade da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz no Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), a partir de 2008 até o momento atual. Conhecido internacionalmente por haver institucionalizado o Programa Agentes de Saúde no Ceará em 1987, ele discute sobre o processo de implantação da Fiocruz-CE e o papel da pesquisa na orientação do trabalho da Estratégia Saúde da Família durante a pandemia de Covid-19.

Entrevista com Antonio Carlile Holanda Lavor: é preciso investir em pesquisas para aprender como orientar as famílias contra a Covid-19 / Interview with Antonio Carlile Holanda Lavor: we must invest in research to learn how to guide families against COVID-19

Resumo Nesta entrevista, Antônio Carlile Holanda Lavor, médico sanitarista, com 57 anos de carreira, longa e ampla experiência na gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em especial na atenção primária à saúde, fala sobre sua gestão a frente da unidade da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz no Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), a partir de 2008 até o momento atual. Conhecido internacionalmente por haver institucionalizado o Programa Agentes de Saúde no Ceará em 1987, ele discute sobre o processo de implantação da Fiocruz-CE e o papel da pesquisa na orientação do trabalho da Estratégia Saúde da Família durante a pandemia de Covid-19.

Abstract In this interview, public health physician Antônio Carlile Holanda Lavor with 57-year career and long and broad experience in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) management, especially in primary health care, talks about his management at the head of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation unit in Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), from 2008 to the present moment. Known internationally for institutionalizing the Health Worker Program in Ceará in 1987, he discusses the process of implementing Fiocruz-CE and the role of research in guiding the work of the Family Health Strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.