The Effectiveness of Community Health Workers in Malaria Management among Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Uganda: A Meta-Analysis

Malaria remains a significant public health issue in Eastern Uganda, particularly among smallholder farmers who are at high risk of infection due to their farming practices and living conditions. A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted and analysed using standard meta-analytical techniques including random-effects models and calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI) for effect sizes. CHWs reported a reduction in malaria incidence by an average of 20% among smallholder farmers, with significant variability across different study sites. The findings suggest that CHWs play a crucial role in mitigating malaria risk among smallholder farmers. Future research should explore the specific interventions and community engagement strategies most effective for this population. Investment in training programmes to enhance CHW skills and resources is recommended, along with strengthening community participation in health promotion activities. Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p_i)=\beta_0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.