Authors: Monique S. Oliff, Pamela Muniina,Kenneth Babigumira,John Phuka,Hans Rietveld,John Sande,Humphreys Nsona, and Maud M. Lugand
This study sought to inform rectal artesunate (RAS) programming in Malawi by using practical tools to enhance severe malaria continuum of care at the community level. A single country two-arm-controlled study was conducted, where pre-referral interventions were provided by CHWs. The study population was sampled from village health clinics (VHCs) and included all households with children 5 years and younger. CHWs in the intervention arm were trained using a field-tested toolkit and the community was given access to various information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. The community in the control arm had access to routine care. Results identified five continuum of care criteria (5 CoC) to reinforce RAS programming. These included such things as ensuring proximity to an operational VHC with resident CHWs, maintaining consistency of supplies at the VHC level, optimizing the comprehensiveness of care, improving connectivity of care through smooth referrals, and enhancing communication between providers from different points of care. . These findings provide a feasible framework which future RAS practice guidelines may draw on for enhancing severe malaria care while leveraging the role of CHWs.
Link: The five continuum of care criteria that should accompany rectal artesunate interventions: lessons learned from an implementation study in Malawi
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Resource Topic: CHW, Malaria, Rectal artesunate (RAS) programming
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2023
Region: Asia
Country: Malawi
Publisher May Restrict Access: No