Primary Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases by Community Health Workers: A Case Study of Health and Development

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Periodical article

Title:	Primary Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases by Community Health Workers: A Case Study of Health and Development
Authors:	Puoane, Thandi Bradley, Hazel
Year:	2003
Periodical:	Africanus
Volume:	33
Issue:	2
Pages:	29-34
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	public health urban areas health personnel diabetes Development and Technology Health and Nutrition Urbanization and Migration
Abstract:	Obesity in the urban black population is becoming a public health problem in South Africa and is associated with the emergence of non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes in urban populations in South Africa. Community health workers (CHWs) were especially targeted in the project because they could be used as change agents in their community. As part of this initiative, a participatory approach of assessment, analysis and action was used to collect baseline data from CHWs on barriers that they experienced to healthy living including risk factors, prevention and treatment of diabetes. In making the participating CHWs aware of their own need for behavioural changes and assisting them in making theses changes they could be used successfully as change agents in their community. This article is based on a case study of Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, South Africa. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]