Community-based care for chronic diseases in rural Lesotho

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational cohort study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based interventions led by lay health workers for managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in rural Lesotho. The study will utilize eHealth tools to support Chronic Care Village Health Workers (CC-VHWs) in conducting regular screenings, monitoring, and referrals for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. By establishing a research and service delivery platform, the study seeks to generate evidence on the impact of these interventions on chronic disease management in low-resource settings. Data will be collected by CC-VHWs who will be trained to use essential monitoring tools and eHealth applications.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria village level:

* Village size of 40 to 100 households
* Village consent obtained from village chief
* Possibility to identify or recruit a CC-VHW from the village population meeting the following requirements which are largely in line with the criteria of the Lesotho VHW Program Policy:

  o Criteria of the Lesotho Village Health Program Policy:
* Having primary residence in the village (according to village chief)
* Having a proven record of trustworthiness in the resident village
* Having proven ability to maintain confidentiality on public matters
* Being aged between 20 and 50 years
* Being able to provide written reports and being able to do basic mathematical calculations
* Having at least educational level equivalent to high school leaving certificate (Junior Certificate)

  o Additional ComBaCaL criteria:
* Having the ability and willingness to work with a tablet-based eHealth tool
* Having good social and communication skills
* Having the ability and willingness to interact with health professionals and the village population
* Being able to speak, understand and write in English-
* Having successfully completed the ComBaCaL CC-VHW training including final assessment

Inclusion criteria individual level:

* Having primary residence in the village (self-reported at time of enrolment)
* Being able and willing to consent to participation or in case of individuals aged below 18

Where it's running

• Solidarmed Lesotho
  Maseru, Lesotho Recruiting
• Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel
  Basel, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Niklaus Labhardt, Prof. Dr. med. — Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel
• Study coordinator: Niklaus Labhardt, Prof. Dr. med.
• Email: niklaus.labhardt@usb.ch
• Phone: +41 79 870 18 59

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.