Meghan Bruce Kumar
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 6330368 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Meghan Bruce Kumar |
| PRENOMES | Meghan Bruce |
| SOBRENOME | Kumar |
| ASSINATURA | KUMAR M B |
| AFILIAÇÕES | Kenya Medical Research Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4713-8328 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 20 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 5 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 20 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2014 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 2 |
Developing initial programme theory for realist economic evaluation
It is increasingly recognised that ‘big problems’ in health and social care require well-designed solutions and robust evaluation, including attention to costs as well as outcomes. This is especially important in the pervasive environment of resource scarcity. Decisions need to be made that consider not only whether and how an intervention works but also affordability and efficiency in different circumstances and populations. As researchers tackl…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programs on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital in delivering primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To inform their broader rollout, this study updates a 2015 review, critically examining the costs, cost-effectiveness and affordability of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) CHW programs in LMICs. A scoping review was conducted using ten databases and grey literature, covering studies published between Aug…
Bringing together realist and economic approaches in the evaluation of health and social care interventions
BACKGROUND: In the evaluation of complex interventions, economic evaluations aim to determine the relative cost-effectiveness of interventions but generate little explanation of how or why contexts and underlying causal mechanisms impact this. Conversely, realist approaches aim to explain 'what works, for whom, in which circumstances and why' but rarely capture the economic costs and consequences of interventions. As a result, many evaluations re…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programmes focussed on non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide, responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths, 86% occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As the NCD burden on health systems increases, community health workers (CHWs) have become increasingly involved in NCD care provision and management. This study updates a 2015 review to synthesise and critically analyse the recent evidence base on the c…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of integrated horizontal community health worker programmes in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in delivering primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), addressing multiple diseases through horizontal programmes. Despite their effectiveness, there is a US$4.4 billion annual funding gap for professional CHW programmes. Some countries have adopted these programmes, while others require stronger economic evidence to justify investments. This study updates a 201…
Economic evaluations of community health worker programs focussed on neglected tropical diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of more than twenty diseases caused by parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections, affecting more than one billion individuals worldwide. Economic evidence can help guide the investment in Community Health Workers (CHWs) who can help expand access to preventive and curative NTD services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A scoping review was conducted across ten databases and grey l…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programs focussed on HIV, TB and malaria infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Infectious diseases remain a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a pivotal role in addressing these diseases, yet evidence on the costs and cost-effectiveness of CHW-led interventions remains fragmented. We performed a scoping review, searching ten databases and the grey …
Unwrapping the Global Financing Facility
The Global Financing Facility (GFF), launched in 2015, aims to catalyse funding for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, and nutrition. Few independent assessments have evaluated its processes and impact. We conducted a multi-layered policy analysis of GFF documents - the Investment Cases (ICs) and the GFF-linked World Bank Project Appraisal Documents (PADs) - examining the content of GFF documents for 28 countries, comp…
Examining priorities and investments made through the Global Financing Facility for maternal and newborn health
Improving quality of care could avert most of the 4.5 million maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths that occur each year. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) aims to catalyse the national scale-up of maternal and newborn health (MNH) interventions through focused investments. Achieving impact and value for money requires high, equitable coverage and high quality of interventions. This study examines whether the rhetoric of increasing cover…
Form and functioning
BACKGROUND: Burkina Faso joined the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) in 2017 to address persistent gaps in funding for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N). Few empirical papers deal with how global funding mechanisms, and specifically GFF, support resource mobilisation for health nationally. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the policy processes of developing the …
How does community health feature in Global Financing Facility planning documents to support reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNAH-N)? insights from six fra…
BACKGROUND: Community health is key for improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N). However, how community health supports integrated RMNCAH-N service delivery in francophone West Africa is under-researched. OBJECTIVE: We examined how six francophone West African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal) support community health through the Global Financing Faci…
Global Financing Facility investments for vulnerable populations
BACKGROUND: The Global Financing Facility (GFF) was launched in 2015 to catalyse increased domestic and external financing for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition. Half of the deaths along this continuum are neonatal deaths, stillbirths or maternal deaths; yet these topics receive the least aid financing across the continuum. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a policy content analysis of maternal and newborn health (MNH)…
Digital ≠ paperless
box Health information systems (HISs) are considered a core component or building block of health systems. HISs are expected to support evidence-informed decision making at each level.1 However, there are two implicit, and commonly held assumptions that are important to challenge: first, that information systems require information technology; and second, that information technology has no place for paper. While information systems are typically …
Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening
INTRODUCTION: Improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes are policy priorities in Kenya. Achieving these outcomes depends on early identification of pregnancy and quality of primary healthcare. Quality improvement interventions have been shown to contribute to increases in identification, referral and follow-up of pregnant women by community health workers. In this study, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using quality improvement at…
Seep-Ci
The economic evaluation of health system interventions is challenging, and methods guidance on how to respond to these challenges is lacking. The REACHOUT consortium developed and evaluated complex interventions for community health program quality improvement in six countries in Africa and Asia. Reflecting on the challenges we faced in conducting an economic evaluation alongside REACHOUT, we developed a Structured Economic Evaluation Process for…
Influence of China’s 2009 healthcare reform on the utilisation of continuum of care for maternal health services
China's 2009 healthcare reform has positively influenced utilisation rates and equity of CMHS's utilisation among both urban and rural women in Shaanxi Province. Addressing economic and educational attainment gaps between the rich and the poor may be effective ways to improve the persistent health inequities for rural women
Do you trust those data?’—a mixed-methods study assessing the quality of data reported by community health workers in Kenya and Malawi
High-quality data are essential to monitor and evaluate community health worker (CHW) programmes in low- and middle-income countries striving towards universal health coverage. This mixed-methods study was conducted in two purposively selected districts in Kenya (where volunteers collect data) and two in Malawi (where health surveillance assistants are a paid cadre). We calculated data verification ratios to quantify reporting consistency for sel…
How do decision-makers use evidence in community health policy and financing decisions? A qualitative study and conceptual framework in four African countries
Various investments could help countries deliver on the universal health coverage (UHC) goals set by the global community; community health is a pillar of many national strategies towards UHC. Yet despite resource mobilization towards this end, little is known about the potential costs and value of these investments, as well as how evidence on the same would be used in related decisions. This qualitative study was conducted to understand the use …
Does supportive supervision enhance community health worker motivation? A mixed-methods study in four African countries
Supportive supervision is an important element of community health worker (CHW) programmes and is believed to improve CHW motivation and performance. A group supervision intervention, which included training and mentorship of supervisors, was implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. In three of the countries, this was combined with individual and/or peer supervision. A mixed-methods implementation study was conducted to assess the e…
Community case management of childhood illness in sub–Saharan Africa – findings from a cross–sectional survey on policy and implementation
BACKGROUND: Community case management (CCM) involves training, supporting, and supplying community health workers (CHWs) to assess, classify and manage sick children with limited access to care at health facilities, in their communities. This paper aims to provide an overview of the status in 2013 of CCM policy and implementation in sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative survey amongst te…
Does supportive supervision enhance community health worker motivation? A mixed-methods study in four African countries
Supportive supervision is an important element of community health worker (CHW) programmes and is believed to improve CHW motivation and performance. A group supervision intervention, which included training and mentorship of supervisors, was implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. In three of the countries, this was combined with individual and/or peer supervision. A mixed-methods implementation study was conducted to assess the e…
Do you trust those data?’—a mixed-methods study assessing the quality of data reported by community health workers in Kenya and Malawi
High-quality data are essential to monitor and evaluate community health worker (CHW) programmes in low- and middle-income countries striving towards universal health coverage. This mixed-methods study was conducted in two purposively selected districts in Kenya (where volunteers collect data) and two in Malawi (where health surveillance assistants are a paid cadre). We calculated data verification ratios to quantify reporting consistency for sel…
Community case management of childhood illness in sub–Saharan Africa – findings from a cross–sectional survey on policy and implementation
BACKGROUND: Community case management (CCM) involves training, supporting, and supplying community health workers (CHWs) to assess, classify and manage sick children with limited access to care at health facilities, in their communities. This paper aims to provide an overview of the status in 2013 of CCM policy and implementation in sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative survey amongst te…
Does supportive supervision enhance community health worker motivation? A mixed-methods study in four African countries
Supportive supervision is an important element of community health worker (CHW) programmes and is believed to improve CHW motivation and performance. A group supervision intervention, which included training and mentorship of supervisors, was implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. In three of the countries, this was combined with individual and/or peer supervision. A mixed-methods implementation study was conducted to assess the e…
Seep-Ci
The economic evaluation of health system interventions is challenging, and methods guidance on how to respond to these challenges is lacking. The REACHOUT consortium developed and evaluated complex interventions for community health program quality improvement in six countries in Africa and Asia. Reflecting on the challenges we faced in conducting an economic evaluation alongside REACHOUT, we developed a Structured Economic Evaluation Process for…
Influence of China’s 2009 healthcare reform on the utilisation of continuum of care for maternal health services
China's 2009 healthcare reform has positively influenced utilisation rates and equity of CMHS's utilisation among both urban and rural women in Shaanxi Province. Addressing economic and educational attainment gaps between the rich and the poor may be effective ways to improve the persistent health inequities for rural women
Do you trust those data?’—a mixed-methods study assessing the quality of data reported by community health workers in Kenya and Malawi
High-quality data are essential to monitor and evaluate community health worker (CHW) programmes in low- and middle-income countries striving towards universal health coverage. This mixed-methods study was conducted in two purposively selected districts in Kenya (where volunteers collect data) and two in Malawi (where health surveillance assistants are a paid cadre). We calculated data verification ratios to quantify reporting consistency for sel…
How do decision-makers use evidence in community health policy and financing decisions? A qualitative study and conceptual framework in four African countries
Various investments could help countries deliver on the universal health coverage (UHC) goals set by the global community; community health is a pillar of many national strategies towards UHC. Yet despite resource mobilization towards this end, little is known about the potential costs and value of these investments, as well as how evidence on the same would be used in related decisions. This qualitative study was conducted to understand the use …
Digital ≠ paperless
box Health information systems (HISs) are considered a core component or building block of health systems. HISs are expected to support evidence-informed decision making at each level.1 However, there are two implicit, and commonly held assumptions that are important to challenge: first, that information systems require information technology; and second, that information technology has no place for paper. While information systems are typically …
Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening
INTRODUCTION: Improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes are policy priorities in Kenya. Achieving these outcomes depends on early identification of pregnancy and quality of primary healthcare. Quality improvement interventions have been shown to contribute to increases in identification, referral and follow-up of pregnant women by community health workers. In this study, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using quality improvement at…
Examining priorities and investments made through the Global Financing Facility for maternal and newborn health
Improving quality of care could avert most of the 4.5 million maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths that occur each year. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) aims to catalyse the national scale-up of maternal and newborn health (MNH) interventions through focused investments. Achieving impact and value for money requires high, equitable coverage and high quality of interventions. This study examines whether the rhetoric of increasing cover…
Form and functioning
BACKGROUND: Burkina Faso joined the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) in 2017 to address persistent gaps in funding for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N). Few empirical papers deal with how global funding mechanisms, and specifically GFF, support resource mobilisation for health nationally. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the policy processes of developing the …
How does community health feature in Global Financing Facility planning documents to support reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNAH-N)? insights from six fra…
BACKGROUND: Community health is key for improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N). However, how community health supports integrated RMNCAH-N service delivery in francophone West Africa is under-researched. OBJECTIVE: We examined how six francophone West African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal) support community health through the Global Financing Faci…
Global Financing Facility investments for vulnerable populations
BACKGROUND: The Global Financing Facility (GFF) was launched in 2015 to catalyse increased domestic and external financing for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition. Half of the deaths along this continuum are neonatal deaths, stillbirths or maternal deaths; yet these topics receive the least aid financing across the continuum. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a policy content analysis of maternal and newborn health (MNH)…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programmes focussed on non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide, responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths, 86% occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As the NCD burden on health systems increases, community health workers (CHWs) have become increasingly involved in NCD care provision and management. This study updates a 2015 review to synthesise and critically analyse the recent evidence base on the c…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of integrated horizontal community health worker programmes in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in delivering primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), addressing multiple diseases through horizontal programmes. Despite their effectiveness, there is a US$4.4 billion annual funding gap for professional CHW programmes. Some countries have adopted these programmes, while others require stronger economic evidence to justify investments. This study updates a 201…
Economic evaluations of community health worker programs focussed on neglected tropical diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of more than twenty diseases caused by parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections, affecting more than one billion individuals worldwide. Economic evidence can help guide the investment in Community Health Workers (CHWs) who can help expand access to preventive and curative NTD services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A scoping review was conducted across ten databases and grey l…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programs focussed on HIV, TB and malaria infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Infectious diseases remain a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a pivotal role in addressing these diseases, yet evidence on the costs and cost-effectiveness of CHW-led interventions remains fragmented. We performed a scoping review, searching ten databases and the grey …
Unwrapping the Global Financing Facility
The Global Financing Facility (GFF), launched in 2015, aims to catalyse funding for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, and nutrition. Few independent assessments have evaluated its processes and impact. We conducted a multi-layered policy analysis of GFF documents - the Investment Cases (ICs) and the GFF-linked World Bank Project Appraisal Documents (PADs) - examining the content of GFF documents for 28 countries, comp…
Developing initial programme theory for realist economic evaluation
It is increasingly recognised that ‘big problems’ in health and social care require well-designed solutions and robust evaluation, including attention to costs as well as outcomes. This is especially important in the pervasive environment of resource scarcity. Decisions need to be made that consider not only whether and how an intervention works but also affordability and efficiency in different circumstances and populations. As researchers tackl…
Costs and cost-effectiveness of community health worker programs on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in low- and middle-income countries (2015–2024)
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital in delivering primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To inform their broader rollout, this study updates a 2015 review, critically examining the costs, cost-effectiveness and affordability of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) CHW programs in LMICs. A scoping review was conducted using ten databases and grey literature, covering studies published between Aug…
Bringing together realist and economic approaches in the evaluation of health and social care interventions
BACKGROUND: In the evaluation of complex interventions, economic evaluations aim to determine the relative cost-effectiveness of interventions but generate little explanation of how or why contexts and underlying causal mechanisms impact this. Conversely, realist approaches aim to explain 'what works, for whom, in which circumstances and why' but rarely capture the economic costs and consequences of interventions. As a result, many evaluations re…
Global Maternal and Child Health (16 obras) · Health care (15 obras) · Medicine (13 obras) · Business (12 obras) · Economic growth (12 obras) · Environmental health (10 obras) · Economics (9 obras) · Political science (8 obras) · Population (8 obras) · Psychological intervention (8 obras)