1
|
Rabbani F, Khan HA, Piryani S, Pradhan NA, Shaukat N, Feroz AS, Perveen S. Changing Perceptions of Rural Frontline Workers and Caregivers About Management of Childhood Diarrhea and Pneumonia Despite Several Inequities: The Nigraan Plus Trial in Pakistan. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:3343-3355. [PMID: 34880624 PMCID: PMC8648085 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s334844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Diarrhea and pneumonia greatly contribute to high childhood mortality in Pakistan. Frontline community health workers or the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) provide care at the doorstep of over 60% of Pakistan’s rural residents. Difficult terrain, lack of supplies, and inadequate supervision put these LHWs at an added disadvantage in the timely diagnosis and delivery of known treatment options to community caregivers (CCGs). This study aims to assess whether a supportive supervision intervention through Lady Health Supervisors (LHSs) using enhanced mentorship and written feedback cards have the potential to improve case management of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia. Study Setting and Design This perception-based qualitative inquiry nested within the Nigraan Plus trial included LHSs, LHWs, and CCGs as the participants. Twenty-two in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted before a supportive supervision intervention in 2017, and 10 FGDs were conducted in 2019 once the intervention concluded. Data were analyzed using manual content analysis. Results The perceived ability of LHWs and LHSs to describe the danger signs of diarrhea and pneumonia, classify dehydration and relate respiratory rate to the severity of pneumonia improved over time. Appropriate prescription of zinc in diarrhea and antibiotics in pneumonia was noted. Furthermore, CCGs’ trust in LHWs increased following the intervention, and they reported a growing inclination to contact LHWs as their first point of care. LHWs in the intervention arm were more satisfied with their job due to frequent supervisory visits and continuous feedback by LHSs. Conclusion Despite geographic, social, and economic inequities, supportive supervision has the potential to improve knowledge, practice, and skills of frontline health workers related to CCM of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia in disadvantaged rural communities. Additionally, the trust of CCGs in the health workers’ ability to manage such cases is also enhanced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fauziah Rabbani
- Office of Research and Graduate Studies, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.,Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Hyder Ali Khan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Suneel Piryani
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Nousheen Akber Pradhan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Natasha Shaukat
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Anam Shahil Feroz
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Shagufta Perveen
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chirambo GB, Thompson M, Hardy V, Ide N, Hwang PH, Dharmayat K, Mastellos N, Heavin C, O'Connor Y, Muula AS, Andersson B, Carlsson S, Tran T, Hsieh JCL, Lee HY, Fitzpatrick A, Joseph Wu TS, O'Donoghue J. Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Community Case Management on the Urgent Referral, Reconsultation, and Hospitalization of Children Aged Under 5 Years in Malawi: Cluster-Randomized, Stepped-Wedge Trial. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e25777. [PMID: 34668872 PMCID: PMC8567152 DOI: 10.2196/25777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Integrated community case management (CCM) has led to reductions in child mortality in Malawi resulting from illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. However, adherence to CCM guidelines is often poor, potentially leading to inappropriate clinical decisions and poor outcomes. We determined the impact of an e-CCM app on the referral, reconsultation, and hospitalization rates of children presenting to village clinics in Malawi. Objective We determined the impact of an electronic version of a smartphone-based CCM (e-CCM) app on the referral, reconsultation, and hospitalization rates of children presenting to village clinics in Malawi. Methods We used a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial to compare paper-based CCM (control) with and without the use of an e-CCM app on smartphones from November 2016 to February 2017. A total of 102 village clinics from 2 districts in northern Malawi were assigned to 1 of 6 clusters, which were randomized on the sequencing of the crossover from the control phase to the intervention phase as well as the duration of exposure in each phase. Children aged ≥2 months to <5 years who presented with acute illness were enrolled consecutively by health surveillance assistants. The primary outcome of urgent referrals to higher-level facilities was evaluated by using multilevel mixed effects models. A logistic regression model with the random effects of the cluster and the fixed effects for each step was fitted. The adjustment for potential confounders included baseline factors, such as patient age, sex, and the geographical location of the village clinics. Calendar time was adjusted for in the analysis. Results A total of 6965 children were recruited—49.11% (3421/6965) in the control phase and 50.88% (3544/6965) in the intervention phase. After adjusting for calendar time, children in the intervention phase were more likely to be urgently referred to a higher-level health facility than children in the control phase (odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% CI 1.27-3.23; P=.003). Overall, children in the intervention arm had lower odds of attending a repeat health surveillance assistant consultation (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.59; P<.001) or being admitted to a hospital (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.90; P=.002), but after adjusting for time, these differences were not significant (P=.07 for consultation; P=.30 for hospital admission). Conclusions The addition of e-CCM decision support by using smartphones led to a greater proportion of children being referred to higher-level facilities, with no apparent increase in hospital admissions or repeat consultations in village clinics. Our findings provide support for the implementation of e-CCM tools in Malawi and other low- and middle-income countries with a need for ongoing assessments of effectiveness and integration with national digital health strategies. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02763345; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02763345
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Griphin Baxter Chirambo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi.,Malawi eHealth Research Center, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Nicole Ide
- University of Washington, Seatle, WA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tammy Tran
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - John O'Donoghue
- Malawi eHealth Research Center, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tariku A, Okwaraji YB, Worku A, Biks GA, Åke Persson L, Berhane Y. Prevention and treatment of suspected pneumonia in Ethiopian children less than five years from household to primary care. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:602-610. [PMID: 32478446 PMCID: PMC7891650 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aim Ethiopia has implemented the integrated community case management to reduce mortality in childhood diseases. We analysed prevention, care seeking and treatment of suspected pneumonia from household to health facility in Ethiopia. Methods Analyses were based on a survey in four regions that included modules covering 5714 households, 169 health posts with 276 health extension workers and 155 health centres with 175 staff. Caregivers of children aged 2‐59 months responded to questions on awareness of services and care seeking for suspected pneumonia. Pneumonia‐related knowledge of health workers was assessed. Results When a child had suspected pneumonia, 46% (95% CI: 25,68) sought care at health facilities, and 27% (95% CI: 12,51) received antibiotics. Forty‐one per cent had received full immunisation. One‐fifth (21%, 95%: 19,22) of the caregivers were aware of pneumonia treatment. Sixty‐four per cent of the health extension workers correctly mentioned fast or difficult breathing as signs of suspected pneumonia, and 88% suggested antibiotics treatment. Conclusion The caregivers' awareness of suspected pneumonia treatment and the utilisation of these services were low. Some of the health extension workers were not knowledgeable about suspected pneumonia. Strengthening primary health care, including immunisation, and enhancing the utilisation of services are critical for further reduction of pneumonia mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amare Tariku
- Department of Human Nutrition Institute of Public Health College of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Yemisrach B. Okwaraji
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London UK
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health Addis Ababa Ethiopia
- School of Public Health Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Gashaw Andargie Biks
- Department of Health System and Policy College of Medicine and Health Sciences Institute of Public Health University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia
| | - Lars Åke Persson
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London UK
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dharmayat KI, Tran T, Hardy V, Chirambo BG, Thompson MJ, Ide N, Carlsson S, Andersson B, O'Donoghue JM, Mastellos N. Sustainability of 'mHealth' interventions in sub- Saharan Africa: a stakeholder analysis of an electronic community case management project in Malawi. Malawi Med J 2020; 31:177-183. [PMID: 31839886 PMCID: PMC6895377 DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v31i3.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The global health community and funding agencies are currently engaged in ensuring that worthwhile research-based programmes are sustainable. Despite its importance, few studies have analysed the sustainability of global health interventions. In this paper, we aim to explore barriers and facilitators for the wider implementation and sustainability of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention (Supporting LIFE Community Case Management programme) in Malawi, Africa. Methods Between January and March 2017, a qualitative approach was used to carry out and analyse 13 in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders across all levels of healthcare provision in Malawi to explore their perceptions with regards to the implementation and sustainability of the mHealth programme. Data were analysed thematically by two reviewers. Results Overall, our analysis found that the programme was successful in achieving its goals. However, there are many challenges to the wider implementation and sustainability of this programme, including the absence of monetary resources, limited visibility outside the healthcare sector, the lack of integration with community-based and nationwide programmes, services and information and communication technologies, and the limited local capacity in relation to the maintenance, further development, and management. Conclusions Future developments should be aligned with the strategic goals and interests of the Ministry of Health and engage with national and international stakeholders to develop shared goals and strategies for nationwide scale-up. These developments should also focus on building local capacity by educating trainers and ensuring that training methods and guidelines are appropriately accredited based on national policies. Our findings provide a framework for a variety of stakeholders who are engaged in sustaining mHealth programmes in resource-poor settings and can be used to develop an evidence-based policy for the utilization of technology for healthcare delivery across developing countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanika I Dharmayat
- Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tammy Tran
- Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Hardy
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Thompson
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicole Ide
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sven Carlsson
- Department of Informatics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Andersson
- Department of Informatics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - John Martin O'Donoghue
- Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Mastellos
- Global eHealth Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boyce R, Reyes R, Matte M, Ntaro M, Mulogo E, Siedner MJ. Use of a Dual-Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test to Screen Children for Severe Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in a High-Transmission, Resource-Limited Setting. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 65:1509-1515. [PMID: 29020298 PMCID: PMC5850632 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In rural areas, many patients with malaria seek care at peripheral health facilities or community case management programs. While this strategy is effective for the management of uncomplicated malaria, severe malaria necessitates prompt detection and referral to facilities with adequate resources. METHODS In this prospective, observational cohort study, we assessed the accuracy of a dual-band (histidine-rich protein-2/pan-lactate dehydrogenase [HRP2/pLDH]) rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to differentiate uncomplicated from severe malaria. We included children aged <12 years who presented to a rural clinic in western Uganda with a positive HRP2 or HRP2/pLDH RDT. We estimated the test characteristics of a dual-antigen (HRP2+/pLDH+) band positive RDT compared to World Health Organization-defined clinical and laboratory criteria to detect severe malaria. RESULTS A total of 2678 children underwent testing for malaria with an RDT, and 83 (9.0%) satisfied criteria for severe malaria. The sensitivity and specificity of a HRP2+/pLDH+ result for severe malaria was 97.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.8%-99.6%) and 75.6% (95% CI, 73.8%-77.4%), respectively. An HRP2+/pLDH+ result was significantly more sensitive (97.6% vs 68.7%, P < .001) for the detection of severe malaria compared to algorithms that incorporate screening for danger signs. CONCLUSIONS A positive dual-antigen (HRP2/pLDH) RDT has higher sensitivity than the use of clinical manifestations to detect severe malaria, making it a promising tool in the triage of children with malaria in low-resource settings. Additional work is needed to operationalize diagnostic and treatment algorithms that include dual-antigen RDTs to avoid over referral.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raquel Reyes
- General Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Michael Matte
- Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda; and
| | - Moses Ntaro
- Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda; and
| | - Edgar Mulogo
- Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda; and
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ndyomugyenyi R, Magnussen P, Lal S, Hansen K, Clarke SE. Appropriate targeting of artemisinin-based combination therapy by community health workers using malaria rapid diagnostic tests: findings from randomized trials in two contrasting areas of high and low malaria transmission in south-western Uganda. Trop Med Int Health 2016; 21:1157-70. [PMID: 27383558 PMCID: PMC5031222 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective To compare the impact of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), used by community health workers (CHWs), on the proportion of children <5 years of age receiving appropriately targeted treatment with artemisinin‐based combination therapy (ACT), vs. presumptive treatment. Methods Cluster‐randomized trials were conducted in two contrasting areas of moderate‐to‐high and low malaria transmission in rural Uganda. Each trial examined the effectiveness of mRDTs in the management of malaria and targeting of ACTs by CHWs comparing two diagnostic approaches: (i) presumptive clinical diagnosis of malaria [control arm] and (ii) confirmatory diagnosis with mRDTs followed by ACT treatment for positive patients [intervention arm], with village as the unit of randomisation. Treatment decisions by CHWs were validated by microscopy on a reference blood slide collected at the time of consultation, to compare the proportion of children <5 years receiving appropriately targeted ACT treatment, defined as patients with microscopically‐confirmed presence of parasites in a peripheral blood smear receiving artemether‐lumefantrine or rectal artesunate, and patients with no malaria parasites not given ACT. Results In the moderate‐to‐high transmission area, ACT treatment was appropriately targeted in 79.3% (520/656) of children seen by CHWs using mRDTs to diagnose malaria, vs. 30.8% (215/699) of children seen by CHWs using presumptive diagnosis (P < 0.001). In the low transmission area, 90.1% (363/403) children seen by CHWs using mRDTs received appropriately targeted ACT treatment vs. 7.8% (64/817) seen by CHWs using presumptive diagnosis (P < 0.001). Low mRDT sensitivity in children with low‐density parasitaemia (<200 parasites/μl) was identified as a potential concern. Conclusion When equipped with mRDTs, ACT treatments delivered by CHWs are more accurately targeted to children with malaria parasites. mRDT use could play an important role in reducing overdiagnosis of malaria and improving fever case management within iCCM, in both moderate‐to‐high and low transmission areas. Nonetheless, missed treatments due to the low sensitivity of current mRDTs in patients with low parasite density are a concern. For community‐based treatment in areas of low transmission and/or non‐immune populations, presumptive treatment of all fevers as malaria may be advisable, until more sensitive diagnostic assays, suitable for routine use by CHWs in remote settings, become available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department for Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sham Lal
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristian Hansen
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Siân E Clarke
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tagbor H, Antwi GD, Acheampong PR, Bart Plange C, Chandramohan D, Cairns M. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention in an area of extended seasonal transmission in Ashanti, Ghana: an individually randomised clinical trial. Trop Med Int Health 2015; 21:224-35. [PMID: 26578353 PMCID: PMC4982104 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and community case management with long‐acting artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACTs) for the control of malaria in areas of extended seasonal malaria transmission. Method Individually randomised, placebo‐controlled trial in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A total of 2400 children aged 3–59 months received either: (i) a short‐acting ACT for case management of malaria (artemether‐lumefantrine, AL) plus placebo SMC, or (ii) a long‐acting ACT (dihydroartemisinin‐piperaquine, DP) for case management plus placebo SMC or (iii) AL for case management plus active SMC with sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine and amodiaquine. SMC or placebo was delivered on five occasions during the rainy season. Malaria cases were managed by community health workers, who used rapid diagnostic tests to confirm infection prior to treatment. Results The incidence of malaria was lower in children given SMC during the rainy season. Compared to those given placebo SMC and AL for case management, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.93), P = 0.020 by intention to treat and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.95), P = 0.033 among children given five SMC courses. There were no major differences between groups given different ACTs for case management (aHR DP vs. AL 1.18 (95% CI 0.83, 1.67), P = 0.356). Conclusion SMC may have an important public health impact in areas with a longer transmission season, but further optimisation of SMC schedules is needed to maximise its impact in such settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry Tagbor
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Centre for Global Health Research, Juaben, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Chandramohan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew Cairns
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of hygiene and tropical medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rutebemberwa E, Mpeka B, Pariyo G, Peterson S, Mworozi E, Bwanga F, Källander K. High prevalence of antibiotic resistance in nasopharyngeal bacterial isolates from healthy children in rural Uganda: A cross-sectional study. Ups J Med Sci 2015; 120:249-56. [PMID: 26305429 PMCID: PMC4816885 DOI: 10.3109/03009734.2015.1072606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Uganda, the main causes of death in children under 5 years of age are malaria and pneumonia--often due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In preparation for a community case management intervention for pneumonia and malaria, the bacterial composition of the nasopharyngeal flora and its in vitro resistance were determined in children aged five or under to establish baseline resistance to commonly used antibiotics. METHODS In a population-based survey in April 2008, nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from 152 randomly selected healthy children under 5 years of age in the Iganga/Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS). Medical history and prior treatment were recorded. Demographic characteristics and risk factors for carriage of resistant strains were obtained from the HDSS census. Bacteria were isolated and analysed for antibiotic susceptibility using disk diffusion and E test. RESULTS Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) carriage was 58.6%, and, while most (80.9%) isolates had intermediate resistance to penicillin, none was highly resistant. Whereas no isolate was resistant to erythromycin, 98.9% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole). CONCLUSIONS In vitro resistance in S. pneumoniae to co-trimoxazole treatment was high, and the majority of isolates had intermediate resistance to penicillin. To inform treatment policies on the clinical efficacy of current treatment protocols for pneumonia in health facilities and at the community level, routine surveillance of resistance in pneumonia pathogens is needed as well as research on treatment efficacy in cases with resistant strains. Improved clinical algorithms and diagnostics for pneumonia should be developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George Pariyo
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Edison Mworozi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Microbiology, Makerere University Faculty of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda, and
| | - Karin Källander
- Correspondence: Karin Källander, Division of Global Health, Tomteboda vägen 18A, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yansaneh AI, Moulton LH, George AS, Rao SR, Kennedy N, Bangura P, Brieger WR, Kabano A, Diaz T. Influence of community health volunteers on care seeking and treatment coverage for common childhood illnesses in the context of free health care in rural Sierra Leone. Trop Med Int Health 2014; 19:1466-76. [PMID: 25243929 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether community health volunteers induced significant changes in care seeking and treatment of ill children under five 2 years after their deployment in two underserved districts of Sierra Leone. METHODS A pre-test-post-test study with intervention and comparison groups was used. A household cluster survey was conducted among caregivers of 5643 children at baseline and of 5259 children at endline. RESULTS In the intervention districts, treatments provided by community health volunteers increased from 0 to 14.3% for all three conditions combined (P < 0.001). Care seeking from an appropriate provider was not statistically significant (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.88-2.54) between intervention and comparison districts and coverage of appropriate treatment increased in both study groups for all three illnesses. However, the presence of community health volunteers was associated with a 105% increase in appropriate treatment for pneumonia (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22-3.42) and a 55% drop in traditional treatment for diarrhoea (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.21-0.96). Community health volunteers were also associated with fewer facility treatments for malaria (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07-0.62). CONCLUSION After implementing free care, coverage for treatment for all three illnesses in both study groups improved. Deployment of community health volunteers was associated with a reduced treatment burden at facilities and less reliance on traditional treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aisha I Yansaneh
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zaidi AK, Baqui AH, Qazi SA, Bahl R, Saha S, Ayede AI, Adejuyigbe EA, Engmann C, Esamai F, Tshefu AK, Wammanda RD, Falade AG, Odebiyi A, Gisore P, Longombe AL, Ogala WN, Tikmani SS, Uddin Ahmed AS, Wall S, Brandes N, Roth DE, Darmstadt GL. Scientific rationale for study design of community-based simplified antibiotic therapy trials in newborns and young infants with clinically diagnosed severe infections or fast breathing in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2013; 32 Suppl 1:S7-11. [PMID: 23945577 DOI: 10.1097/INF.0b013e31829ff5fc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newborns and young infants suffer high rates of infections in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Timely access to appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential for reducing mortality. In an effort to develop community case management guidelines for young infants, 0-59 days old, with clinically diagnosed severe infections, or with fast breathing, 4 trials of simplified antibiotic therapy delivered in primary care clinics (Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria) or at home (Bangladesh and Nigeria) are being conducted. METHODS This article describes the scientific rationale for these trials, which share major elements of trial design. All the trials are in settings of high neonatal mortality, where hospitalization is not feasible or frequently refused. All use procaine penicillin and gentamicin intramuscular injections for 7 days as reference therapy and compare this to various experimental arms utilizing comparatively simpler combination regimens with fewer injections and oral amoxicillin. CONCLUSION The results of these trials will inform World Health Organization policy regarding community case management of young infants with clinical severe infections or with fast breathing.
Collapse
|
11
|
Puett C, Alderman H, Sadler K, Coates J. 'Sometimes they fail to keep their faith in us': community health worker perceptions of structural barriers to quality of care and community utilisation of services in Bangladesh. Matern Child Nutr 2013; 11:1011-22. [PMID: 23941290 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Community health workers (CHWs) have strong potential to extend health and nutrition services to underserved populations. However, CHWs face complex challenges when working within weak health systems and among communities with limited abilities to access and utilise CHW services. It is crucial to understand these challenges to improve programme support mechanisms. This study describes the results of qualitative investigations into CHW perceptions of barriers to quality of care among two groups of workers implementing community case management of acute respiratory infection, diarrhoea and severe acute malnutrition in southern Bangladesh. We explored systemic barriers to service delivery, pertaining to communities and health systems, which limited the usefulness and effectiveness of CHW services. Focus group discussions (n = 10) were conducted in March 2010. Discussions were analysed for themes related to CHWs' work challenges. Findings highlight several perceived barriers to effective service provision, including community poverty constraining uptake of recommended practices, irregular supplies of medicine from the health facility and poor quality of care for CHW referrals sent there. This study further documents interactions between demand-side and supply-side constraints including the influence of health system resource constraints on community trust in CHW services, and the influence of community resource constraints on the utilisation and effectiveness of CHW services. By documenting service delivery challenges from the perspective of the frontline workers themselves, this article contributes evidence to help identify appropriate support mechanisms for these workers, in order to develop scalable and sustainable CHW programmes in countries with under-resourced public health care infrastructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Puett
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harold Alderman
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kate Sadler
- Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Coates
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gilroy KE, Callaghan-Koru JA, Cardemil CV, Nsona H, Amouzou A, Mtimuni A, Daelmans B, Mgalula L, Bryce J. Quality of sick child care delivered by Health Surveillance Assistants in Malawi. Health Policy Plan 2012; 28:573-85. [PMID: 23065598 PMCID: PMC3753880 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czs095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the quality of care provided by Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs)—a cadre of community-based health workers—as part of a national scale-up of community case management of childhood illness (CCM) in Malawi. Methods Trained research teams visited a random sample of HSAs (n = 131) trained in CCM and provided with initial essential drug stocks in six districts, and observed the provision of sick child care. Trained clinicians conducted ‘gold-standard’ reassessments of the child. Members of the survey team also interviewed caregivers and HSAs and inspected drug stocks and patient registers. Findings HSAs provided correct treatment with antimalarials to 79% of the 241 children presenting with uncomplicated fever, with oral rehydration salts to 69% of the 93 children presenting with uncomplicated diarrhoea and with antibiotics to 52% of 58 children presenting with suspected pneumonia (cough with fast breathing). About one in five children (18%) presented with danger signs. HSAs correctly assessed 37% of children for four danger signs by conducting a physical exam, and correctly referred 55% of children with danger signs. Conclusion Malawi’s CCM programme is a promising strategy for increasing coverage of sick child treatment, although there is much room for improvement, especially in the correct assessment and treatment of suspected pneumonia and the identification and referral of sick children with danger signs. However, HSAs provided sick child care at levels of quality similar to those provided in first-level health facilities in Malawi, and quality should improve if the Ministry of Health and partners act on the results of this assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Gilroy
- Institute for International Programs, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore MD 21205-2103, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Agyei-Baffour P, Hansen KS, Browne ENL, Magnussen P. The amount and value of work time of community medicine distributors in community case management of malaria among children under five years in the Ejisu-Juaben District of Ghana. Malar J 2012; 11:277. [PMID: 22898097 PMCID: PMC3472174 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contribution of community medicine distributors (CMD) to prompt health service delivery in areas described as "hard-to-reach" is important but the value of their work time remains unknown and thus makes it difficult to design appropriate regular financial incentives to motivate them. This makes CMDs feel their efforts are not recognized. An attempt to estimate the value of 54 CMDs' work time involved in community case management of malaria (CCMm) in a rural district in Ghana is presented. METHODS Time spent by CMDs on CCMm activities were recorded for a period of 12 months to determine the work-time value. Cost analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel with data from CMD records and at 2007 market price in Ghana. RESULTS A CMD spent 4.8 hours, [95% CI: 3.9; 5.3] on all CCMm-related activities per day. The time value of CMD work ranged from GH¢ 2.04 (US$ 2.24) to GH¢ 4.1 [US$ 4.6] per week and GH¢ 19.2 - 86.4 (US$ 21.10-94.95) per month. The gross wage outside CCMm as reported by CMD was GH¢ 58.4 [US$ 64.69] and value of foregone income of GH¢ 86.40 (US$ 94.95) per month, about 14-times higher than the monthly incentives of GH¢ 6.0 given by the CCMm programme. CONCLUSION The value of work time and the foregone income of CMDs in CCMm are high and yet there are no regular and sustainable incentives provided for them. The results are significant to policy in designing incentives to motivate CMDs in large-scale implementation of CCMm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Agyei-Baffour
- Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, UPO, PMB, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kristian S Hansen
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edmund N L Browne
- Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, UPO, PMB, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- DBL-Centre for Health Research and Development, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Puett C, Sadler K, Alderman H, Coates J, Fiedler JL, Myatt M. Cost-effectiveness of the community-based management of severe acute malnutrition by community health workers in southern Bangladesh. Health Policy Plan 2012; 28:386-99. [PMID: 22879522 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czs070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of adding the community-based management of severe acute malnutrition (CMAM) to a community-based health and nutrition programme delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in southern Bangladesh. The cost-effectiveness of this model of treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was compared with the cost-effectiveness of the 'standard of care' for SAM (i.e. inpatient treatment), augmented with community surveillance by CHWs to detect cases, in a neighbouring area. An activity-based cost model was used, and a societal perspective taken, to include all costs incurred in the programme by providers and participants for the management of SAM in both areas. Cost data were coupled with programme effectiveness data. The community-based strategy cost US$26 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, compared with US$1344 per DALY averted for inpatient treatment. The average cost to participant households for their child to recover from SAM in community treatment was one-sixth that of inpatient treatment. These results suggest that this model of treatment for SAM is highly cost-effective and that CHWs, given adequate supervision and training, can be employed effectively to expand access to treatment for SAM in Bangladesh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Puett
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|