African Journal of Religious Studies | 28 February 2008
Effectiveness of Community Health Worker Programmes in Reducing Neonatal Mortality Rates in Mbarara District, Uganda: A Policy Analysis Over Two Years,
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Abstract
Neonatal mortality rates remain high in many African countries, including Uganda, despite efforts to improve healthcare access and quality. The analysis employed a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with CHWs and quantitative data on neonatal mortality rates. CHW programmes were found to have significantly reduced neonatal mortality by 15% in Mbarara District, attributed to enhanced community engagement and early intervention strategies. While CHW programmes showed promise in decreasing neonatal mortality, challenges such as resource constraints and limited training need further attention for sustained impact. Enhanced funding should be directed towards developing comprehensive training curricula and improving infrastructure to sustain the benefits of CHW programmes.