This study examined: (i) whether Zambian CHWs could prepare and interpret RDTs accurately and safely using manufacturer's instructions alone; (ii) whether mostly pictorial instructions (a "job aid") could raise performance; and (iii) whether a brief training program would produce further improvement. The authors found that manufacturers' instructions, like those provided with … [Read more...] about Improving community health worker use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Zambia: package instructions, job aid and job aid-plus-training
Malaria
Community-directed interventions for major health problems in Africa
In 2005, a three-year multi-country study was launched to examine how the Community Directed Intervention (CDI) approach, which had been remarkably successful in distributing ivermectin for treatment of onchocerciasis, could be used alongside ivermectin for integrated delivery (or co-implementation) of four other health interventions: Vitamin A supplementation, distribution of … [Read more...] about Community-directed interventions for major health problems in Africa
Community acceptability of use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria by community health workers in Uganda
This study assesses community acceptability of the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) by Ugandan CHWs, locally referred to as community medicine distributors (CMDs). The study found that the use of RDTs by CMDs is likely to be acceptable by community members provided that CMDs are properly trained, and receive regular technical supervision and logistical support. A … [Read more...] about Community acceptability of use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria by community health workers in Uganda
Community-Directed Interventions for Priority Health Problems in Africa: Results of a Multicultural Study
This three-year mulitcountry study was undertaken with the objective of determining the extent to which the community directed approach could effectively provide integrated delivery of other health interventions. CDI achieved significantly higher coverage than currently used delivery approaches for all interventions except DOTS. The study concludes that CDI is an … [Read more...] about Community-Directed Interventions for Priority Health Problems in Africa: Results of a Multicultural Study
Preventing malaria in pregnancy through community-directed interventions: evidence from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
This study analyzes a community-based programme to determine the degree to which community-directed interventions delivered through volunteer community based distributions can improve access to malaria prevention strategies for pregnant women, including use of ITNs, IPTp drugs and counseling. Results suggest that beyond access to malaria prevention, access to formal … [Read more...] about Preventing malaria in pregnancy through community-directed interventions: evidence from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
