What is this study trying to find out about non-communicable diseases?

This study is evaluating how community-based, lay-led screening and care can impact chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes in rural Lesotho. It aims to understand how regular monitoring and support by trained village health workers affect disease awareness and management. The research is led by the University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, to improve care access in low-resource settings.

Who may be eligible for this non-communicable diseases clinical trial?

Adults living in rural villages with 40 to 100 households may be eligible, especially those aged between 20 and 50 years who can communicate in English and are willing to use a tablet-based tool. Participants should reside in the village and be able to consent. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this non-communicable diseases clinical trial?

Study-related care, including screening and monitoring provided by village health workers and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Participants may have personal travel expenses that vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. All services related to the study are free to participants.

Actively Recruiting

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID05596773

Community-Based Chronic Disease Care in Rural Lesotho The ComBaCaL Cohort Study

Led by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Updated on 2026-02-13

17500

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate community-based, lay-led chronic disease screening and care interventions in rural Lesotho, focusing on diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, and HIV. The study establishes a prospective platform managed by Chronic Care Village Health Workers CC-VHWs, supported by eHealth tools, to monitor and refer patients within rural communities. It addresses the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in low-resource settings where access barriers exist, building on lessons from HIV care programs. The CC-VHWs receive training and essential tools such as blood pressure machines, scales, glucometers, and urine dipsticks to conduct screening, diagnosis, and referral services. They visit participants regularly to assess signs and symptoms, provide counseling, and record data using a tablet-based application. The village health workers are supervised by nurses through meetings, visits, and remote communication. This cohort study also serves as a platform for future trials evaluating specific chronic disease interventions. Participants are regularly screened and monitored by CC-VHWs who collect data on disease indicators and risk factors at baseline and follow-up visits approximately every six months. Outcomes measured include screening coverage, disease awareness, linkage to care, engagement in care, disease control, and clinically relevant events up to three years after enrollment. Continuous monitoring, data collection, and referral services occur under the guidance of local health centers, ensuring ongoing participant support throughout the study period.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Community-Based Chronic Disease Care in Rural Lesotho

Who Can Participate

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Village size of 40 to 100 households
Village consent obtained from village chief
CC-VHW candidates must live primarily in the village
CC-VHW candidates must have a trusted reputation in the village
CC-VHW candidates must maintain confidentiality on public matters
CC-VHW candidates must be aged between 20 and 50 years
CC-VHW candidates must be able to write reports and perform basic math
CC-VHW candidates must have at least a high school leaving certificate (Junior Certificate)
CC-VHW candidates must be willing and able to use a tablet-based eHealth tool
CC-VHW candidates must have good social and communication skills
CC-VHW candidates must be willing and able to interact with health professionals and villagers
CC-VHW candidates must speak, understand, and write in English
CC-VHW candidates must complete ComBaCaL training including final assessment
Individual participants must live primarily in the village
Individual participants must be able and willing to consent

You will not qualify if you...

Research Team

Niklaus Labhardt, Prof. Dr. med.

Alain Amstutz, MD

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