IPCHS

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”.

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Jan. 11, 2022 Africa

Engaging and empowering people and communities, Strengthening governance and accountability, Reorienting the model of care, Coordinating services within and across sectors, Creating an enabling environment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nov. 19, 2021 Africa

Patient perspectives on integrated healthcare for HIV, hypertension and type 2 diabetes: a scoping review

ntiretroviral therapy has reduced mortality and led to longer life expectancy in people living with HIV. These patients are now at an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Integration of care for HIV and NCDs has become a focus of research and policy. In this article, we aim to review patient perspectives on integration of healthcare for HIV, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Patient perspectives and experiences on integrated care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension were mostly positive. Integrated services can save resources and allow for a more personalised approach to healthcare.

Nov. 15, 2021 Africa

Integrating diabetes, hypertension and HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa: a Delphi consensus study on international best practice

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. This study highlights the outcomes which may form key components of future complex interventions to define a model of integrated healthcare delivery for diabetes, hypertension and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.