A Cluster-Randomized Trial to Test Sharing Histories as a Training Method for Community Health Workers in Peru

Abstract

Women naturally communicate using life narratives. Through systematic recall and sharing memories of their own childbearing and child rearing experiences, community health workers (CHWs) become engaged and empowered to change their own and other mothers’ health behaviors. Training CHW with sharing histories can improve capabilities as change agents for better child health.

Regarding “A Cluster-Randomized Trial to Test Sharing Histories as a Training Method for Community Health Workers in Peru”

“…Altobelli et al 1 suggest that a language exists in mothers' narratives of their reproductive life experiences. Since the dawn of speech, mothers have talked about health.…”

“…Altobelli et al 1 show that more effective training of community health workers (CHWs) supplies the needed link between these systems of communication. Sharing Histories allows mothers to better understand health, as CHWs explain science using the names of children they know.…”

“…Typically, these are discussions known only to that group of mothers. The Altobelli et al 1 article highlights how this communication that is usually only within a closed group can inform formal health systems. These communications-based maternal experiences allow mothers to grasp health practices and allow health systems to understand local realities.…”

“…T he article by Altobelli et al 1 has implications beyond the important study they describe. The authors have done a superb job of explaining their research and providing robust statistical evidence to support it.…”

“…If clients and their health providers cannot understand each other, how can they work together? But Altobelli et al 1 show that if health care workers use understandable language, they can more effectively partner with (and not just "target") humanity's number one health care provider: mothers. Health systems can be rooted in the health's place of grounding: homes.…”