| 1. |
- Awor, Phyllis, et al.
(författare)
-
Drug seller adherence to clinical protocols with integrated management of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea at drug shops in Uganda
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Malaria Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2875. ; 14
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Drug shops are usually the first source of care for febrile children in Uganda although the quality of care they provide is known to be poor. Within a larger quasi-experimental study introducing the WHO/UNICEF recommended integrated community case management (iCCM) of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea intervention for community health workers in registered drug shops, the level of adherence to clinical protocols by drug sellers was determined. Methods: All drug shops (N = 44) in the intervention area were included and all child visits (N = 7,667) from October 2011-June 2012 to the participating drug shops were analysed. Drug shops maintained a standard iCCM register where they recorded the children seen, their symptoms, diagnostic test performed, treatments given and actions taken. The proportion of children correctly assessed and treated was determined from the registers. Results: Malaria management: 6,140 of 7,667 (80.1%) total visits to drug shops were of children with fever. 5986 (97.5%) children with fever received a malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and the RDT positivity rate was 78% (95% CI 77-79). 4,961/5,307 (93.4%) children with a positive RDT received artemisinin combination therapy. Pneumonia management: after respiratory rate assessment of children with cough and fast/difficult breathing, 3,437 (44.8%) were categorized as "pneumonia", 3,126 (91.0%) of whom received the recommended drug-amoxicillin. Diarrhoea management: 2,335 (30.5%) child visits were for diarrhoea with 2,068 (88.6%) correctly treated with oral rehydration salts and zinc sulphate. Dual/Triple classification: 2,387 (31.1%) children had both malaria and pneumonia and 664 (8.7%) were classified as having three illnesses. Over 90% of the children with dual or triple classification were treated appropriately. Meanwhile, 381 children were categorized as severely sick (with a danger sign) with 309 (81.1%) of them referred for appropriate management. Conclusion: With the introduction of the iCCM intervention at drug shops in Eastern Uganda, it was possible to achieve high adherence to the treatment protocols, which is likely compatible with increased quality of care.
|
|
| 2. |
- Awor, Phyllis, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased access to care and appropriateness of treatment at private sector drug shops with integrated management of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea : a quasi-experimental study in Uganda
- 2014
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:12, s. e115440-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION:Drug shops are a major source of care for children in low income countries but they provide sub-standard care. We assessed the feasibility and effect on quality of care of introducing diagnostics and pre-packaged paediatric-dosage drugs for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea at drug shops in Uganda.METHODS:We adopted and implemented the integrated community case management (iCCM) intervention within registered drug shops. Attendants were trained to perform malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in each fever case and count respiratory rate in each case of cough with fast/difficult breathing, before dispensing recommended treatment. Using a quasi-experimental design in one intervention and one non-intervention district, we conducted before and after exit interviews for drug seller practices and household surveys for treatment-seeking practices in May-June 2011 and May-June 2012. Survey adjusted generalized linear models and difference-in-difference analysis was used.RESULTS:3759 (1604 before/2155 after) household interviews and 943 (163 before/780 after) exit interviews were conducted with caretakers of children under-5. At baseline, no child at a drug shop received any diagnostic testing before treatment in both districts. After the intervention, while no child in the non-intervention district received a diagnostic test, 87.7% (95% CI 79.0-96.4) of children with fever at the intervention district drug shops had a parasitological diagnosis of malaria, prior to treatment. The prevalence ratios of the effect of the intervention on treatment of cough and fast breathing with amoxicillin and diarrhoea with ORS/zinc at the drug shop were 2.8 (2.0-3.9), and 12.8 (4.2-38.6) respectively. From the household survey, the prevalence ratio of the intervention effect on use of RDTs was 3.2 (1.9-5.4); Artemisinin Combination Therapy for malaria was 0.74 (0.65-0.84), and ORS/zinc for diarrhoea was 2.3 (1.2-4.7).CONCLUSION:iCCM can be utilized to improve access and appropriateness of care for children at drug shops.
|
|
| 3. |
- Awor, Phyllis, et al.
(författare)
-
Private sector drug shops in integrated community case management of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea in children in Uganda
- 2012
-
Ingår i: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. - : American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. - 0002-9637 .- 1476-1645. ; 87:5 Suppl, s. 92-96
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We conducted a survey involving 1,604 households to determine community care-seeking patterns and 163 exit interviews to determine appropriateness of treatment of common childhood illnesses at private sector drug shops in two rural districts of Uganda. Of children sick within the last 2 weeks, 496 (53.1%) children first sought treatment in the private sector versus 154 (16.5%) children first sought treatment in a government health facility. Only 15 (10.3%) febrile children treated at drug shops received appropriate treatment for malaria. Five (15.6%) children with both cough and fast breathing received amoxicillin, although no children received treatment for 5-7 days. Similarly, only 8 (14.3%) children with diarrhea received oral rehydration salts, but none received zinc tablets. Management of common childhood illness at private sector drug shops in rural Uganda is largely inappropriate. There is urgent need to improve the standard of care at drug shops for common childhood illness through public-private partnerships.
|
|
| 4. |
- Bagonza, Arthur, et al.
(författare)
-
Effectiveness of peer-supervision on pediatric fever illness treatment among registered private drug sellers in East-Central Uganda : An interrupted time series analysis
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Health Science Reports. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2398-8835. ; 4:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale aims and objectives: Appropriate treatment of pediatric fever in rural areas remains a challenge and maybe partly due to inadequate supervision of licensed drug sellers. This study assessed the effectiveness of peer-supervision among drug sellers on the appropriate treatment of pneumonia symptoms, uncomplicated malaria, and non-bloody diarrhea among children less than 5 years of age in the intervention (Luuka) and comparison (Buyende) districts, in East-Central Uganda.Methods: Data on pneumonia symptoms, uncomplicated malaria, and non-bloody diarrhea among children less than 5 years of age was abstracted from drug shop sick child registers over a 12-month period; 6 months before and 6 months after the introduction of peer-supervision. Interrupted time series were applied to determine the effectiveness of the peer-supervision intervention on the appropriate treatment of pneumonia, uncomplicated malaria, and non-bloody diarrhea among children less than 5 years of age attending drug shops in East Central Uganda.Results: The proportion of children treated appropriately for pneumonia symptoms was 10.84% (P < .05, CI = [1.75, 19.9]) higher, for uncomplicated malaria was 1.46% (P = .79, CI = [-10.43, 13.36]) higher, and for non-bloody diarrhea was 4.00% (P < .05, CI = [-7.95, -0.13]) lower in the intervention district than the comparison district, respectively.Post-intervention trend results showed an increase of 1.21% (P = .008, CI = [0.36, 2.05]) in the proportion appropriately treated for pneumonia symptoms, no difference in appropriate treatment for uncomplicated malaria, and a reduction of 1% (P < .06, CI = [-1.95, 0.02]) in the proportion of children appropriately treated for non-bloody diarrhea, respectively.Conclusions: Peer-supervision increased the proportion of children less than 5 years of age that received appropriate treatment for pneumonia symptoms but not for uncomplicated malaria and non-bloody diarrhea. Implementation of community-level interventions to improve pediatric fever management should consider including peer-supervision among drug sellers.
|
|
| 5. |
- Bagonza, Arthur, et al.
(författare)
-
'I know those people will be approachable and not mistreat us' : a qualitative study of inspectors and private drug sellers' views on peer supervision in rural Uganda
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Globalization and Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1744-8603. ; 16:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Peer supervision improves health care delivery by health workers. However, in rural Uganda, self-supervision is what is prescribed for licensed private drug sellers by statutory guidelines. Evidence shows that self-supervision encourages inappropriate treatment of children less than 5 years of age by private drug sellers. This study constructed a model for an appropriate peer supervisor to augment the self-supervision currently practiced by drug sellers at district level in rural Uganda.METHODS: In this qualitative study, six Key informant interviews were held with inspectors while ten focus group discussions were conducted with 130 drug sellers. Data analysis was informed by the Kathy Charmaz constructive approach to grounded theory. Atlas ti.7 software package was used for data management.RESULTS: A model with four dimensions defining an appropriate peer supervisor was developed. The dimensions included; incentives, clearly defined roles, mediation and role model peer supervisor. While all dimensions were regarded as being important, all participants interviewed agreed that incentives for peer supervisors were the most crucial. Overall, an appropriate peer supervisor was described as being exemplary to other drug sellers, operated within a defined framework, well facilitated to do their role and a good go-between drug sellers and government inspectors.CONCLUSION: Four central contributions advance literature by the model developed by our study. First, the model fills a supervision gap for rural private drug sellers. Second, it highlights the need for terms of reference for peer supervisors. Third, it describes who an appropriate peer supervisor should be. Lastly, it elucidates the kind of resources needed for peer supervision.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bagonza, Arthur, et al.
(författare)
-
Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda : a qualitative study
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Malaria Journal. - : Springer Nature. - 1475-2875. ; 19:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Support supervision improves performance outcomes among health workers. However, the national professional guidelines for new licenses and renewal for Class C drug shops in Uganda prescribe self-supervision of licensed private drug sellers. Without support supervision, inappropriate treatment of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea among children under 5 years of age continues unabated. This study assessed experiences of drug sellers and peer supervisors at the end of a peer supervision intervention in Luuka District in East Central Uganda. Methods Eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with peer supervisors while five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among registered drug sellers at the end of the peer supervision intervention. The study assessed experiences and challenges of peer supervisors and drug sellers regarding peer supervision. Transcripts were imported into Atlas.ti 7 qualitative data management software where they were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Initially, peer supervisors were disliked and regarded by drug sellers as another extension of drug inspectors. However, with time a good relationship was established between drug sellers and peer supervisors leading to regular, predictable and supportive peer supervision. This increased confidence of drug sellers in using respiratory timers and rapid diagnostic tests in diagnosing pneumonia symptoms and uncomplicated malaria, respectively, among children under 5 years. There was also an improvement in completing the sick child register which was used for self-assessment by drug sellers. The drug shop association was mentioned as a place where peer supervision should be anchored since it was a one-stop centre for sharing experiences and continuous professional development. Drug sellers proposed including community health workers in monthly drug shop association meetings so that they may also gain from the associated benefits. Untimely completion of the sick child registers by drug sellers and inadequate financial resources were the main peer supervision challenges mentioned. Conclusion Drug sellers benefitted from peer supervision by developing a good relationship with peer supervisors. This relationship guaranteed reliable and predictable supervision ultimately leading to improved treatment practices. There is need to explore the minimum resources needed for peer supervision of drug sellers to further inform practice and policy.
|
|
| 7. |
- Bagonza, Arthur, et al.
(författare)
-
Regulatory inspection of registered private drug shops in East-Central Uganda-what it is versus what it should be : a qualitative study
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice. - : SPRINGERNATURE. - 2052-3211. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Regulatory inspection of private drug shops in Uganda is a mandate of the Ministry of Health carried out by the National Drug Authority. This study evaluated how this mandate is being carried out at national, district, and drug shop levels. Specifically, perspectives on how the inspection is done, who does it, and challenges faced were sought from inspectors and drug sellers. Methods Six key informant interviews (KIIs) were held with inspectors at the national and district level, while eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among nursing assistants, and two FGDs were held with nurses. The study appraised current methods of inspecting drug sellers against national professional guidelines for licensing and renewal of class C drug shops in Uganda. Transcripts were managed using Atlas ti version 7 (ATLAS.ti GmbH, Berlin) data management software where the thematic content analysis was done. Results Five themes emerged from the study: authoritarian inspection, delegated inspection, licensing, training, and bribes. Under authoritarian inspection, drug sellers decried the high handedness used by inspectors when found with expired or no license at all. For delegated inspection, drug sellers said that sometimes, inspectors send health assistants and sub-county chiefs for inspection visits. This cadre of people is not recognized by law as inspectors. Inspectors trained drug sellers on how to organize their drug shops better and how to use new technologies such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in diagnosing malaria. Bribes were talked about mostly by nursing assistants who purported that inspectors were not interested in inspection per se but collecting illicit payments from them. Inspectors said that the facilitation they received from the central government were inadequate for a routine inspection. Conclusion The current method of inspecting drug sellers is harsh and instills fear among drug sellers. There is a need to establish a well-recognized structure of inspection as well as establish channels of dialogue between inspectors and drug sellers if meaningful compliance is to be achieved. The government also needs to enhance both human and financial resources if meaningful inspection of drug sellers is to take place.
|
|
| 8. |
- Engebretsen, Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv, et al.
(författare)
-
Growth effects of exclusive breastfeeding promotion by peer counsellors in sub-Saharan Africa : the cluster-randomised PROMISE EBF trial
- 2014
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 14, s. 633-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In this multi-country cluster-randomized behavioural intervention trial promoting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in Africa, we compared growth of infants up to 6 months of age living in communities where peer counsellors promoted EBF with growth in those infants living in control communities. Methods: A total of 82 clusters in Burkina Faso, Uganda and South Africa were randomised to either the intervention or the control arm. Feeding data and anthropometric measurements were collected at visits scheduled 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks post-partum. We calculated weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) z-scores. Country specific adjusted Least Squares Means with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on a longitudinal analysis are reported. Prevalence ratios (PR) for the association between peer counselling for EBF and wasting (WLZ < -2), stunting (LAZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < -2) were calculated at each data collection point. Results: The study included a total of 2,579 children. Adjusting for socio-economic status, the mean WLZ at 24 weeks were in Burkina Faso -0.20 (95% CI -0.39 to -0.01) and in Uganda -0.23 (95% CI -0.43 to -0.03) lower in the intervention than in the control arm. In South Africa the mean WLZ at 24 weeks was 0.23 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.43) greater in the intervention than in the control arm. Differences in LAZ between the study arms were small and not statistically significant. In Uganda, infants in the intervention arm were more likely to be wasted compared to those in the control arm at 24 weeks (PR 2.36; 95% CI 1.11 to 5.00). Differences in wasting in South Africa and Burkina Faso and stunting and underweight in all three countries were small and not significantly different. Conclusions: There were small differences in mean anthropometric indicators between the intervention and control arms in the study, but in Uganda and Burkina Faso, a tendency to slightly lower ponderal growth (weight-for-length z-scores) was found in the intervention arms.
|
|
| 9. |
- Johansson, Emily White, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
-
"It could be viral, but you don't know. You have not diagnosed it" : Health worker challenges in managing non-malaria pediatric fevers in the low transmission area of Mbarara District, Uganda
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Malaria Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2875. ; 15
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In 2012, Uganda initiated nationwide deployment of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) as recommended by national guidelines. Yet growing concerns about RDT non-compliance in various settings have spurred calls to deploy RDT as part of enhanced support packages. An understanding of how health workers currently manage non-malaria fevers, particularly for children, and challenges faced in this work should also inform efforts. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in the low transmission area of Mbarara District (Uganda). In-depth interviews with 20 health workers at lower level clinics focused on RDT perceptions, strategies to differentiate non-malaria pediatric fevers, influences on clinical decisions, desires for additional diagnostics, and any challenges in this work. Seven focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers of children less than five years in facility catchment areas to elucidate their RDT perceptions, understandings of non-malaria pediatric fevers and treatment preferences. Data were extracted into meaning units to inform codes and themes in order to describe response patterns using a content analysis approach. Findings: Differential diagnosis strategies included studying fever patterns, taking histories, assessing symptoms and analyzing other factors such as child’s age or home environment. If no alternative cause was found, malaria treatment was reportedly often prescribed despite a negative result. Other reasons for malaria over-treatment stemmed from RDT perceptions, system constraints and provider-client interactions. RDT perceptions included mistrust driven largely by expectations of false negative results due to low parasite/antigen loads, previous anti-malarial treatment or test detection of only one species. System constraints included poor referral systems, working alone without opportunity to confer on difficult cases, and lacking skills and/or tools for differential diagnosis. Provider-client interactions included reported caregiver RDT mistrust, demand for certain drugs, and desire to know the ‘exact’ disease cause if not malaria. Many health workers expressed uncertainty about how to manage non-malaria pediatric fevers, feared doing wrong and patient death, worried caregivers would lose trust, or felt unsatisfied without a clear diagnosis. Conclusions: Enhanced support is needed to improve RDT adoption at lower level clinics that focuses on empowering providers to successfully manage non-severe non-malaria pediatric fevers without referral. This includes building trust in negative results, reinforcing integrated care initiatives (e.g. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) and fostering communities of practice according to the Diffusion of Innovation model.
|
|
| 10. |
- Kitutu, Freddy, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
-
Can malaria rapid diagnostic tests by drug sellers under feld conditions classify children 5 years old or less with or without Plasmodium falciparum malaria? : Comparison with nested PCR analysis
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Malaria Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2875. ; 17
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) available as dipsticks or strips, are simple to perform, easily interpretable and do not require electricity nor infrastructural investment. Correct interpretation of and compliance with the malaria RDT results is a challenge to drug sellers. Thus, drug seller interpretation of malaria RDT strips was compared with laboratory scientist re-reading, and PCR analysis of Plasmodium DNA extracted from malaria RDT nitrocellulose strips and Fast Transient Analysis (FTA) cards. Malaria RDT cassettes are also assessed as potential source of Plasmodium DNA.MethodsA total of 212 children aged between 2 and 60 months, 199 of whom had complete records at two study drug shops in south west Uganda participated in the study. Duplicate 5μL samples of capillary blood were picked from the 212 children, dispensed onto the sample well of the CareStartTM Pf-HRP2 RDT cassette and a fast transient analysis (FTA), WhatmanTM 3MM filter paper in parallel. The malaria RDT strip was interpreted by the drug seller within 15 to 20 minutes, visually re-read centrally by laboratory scientist and from it; Plasmodium DNA was recovered and detected by PCR, and compared with FTA recovered P. falciparum DNA PCR detection.ResultsMalaria positive samples were 62/199 (31.2% 95% CI 24.9 - 38.3) by drug seller interpretation of malaria RDT strip, 59/212 (27.8% 95% CI 22.2 – 34.3) by laboratory scientist, 55/212 (25.9% 95% CI 20.0 – 32.6) by RDT nitrocellulose strip PCR and 64/212 (30.2% 95% CI 24.4 – 37.7). The overall agreement between the drug seller interpretation and laboratory scientist re-reading of the malaria RDT strip was 93% with kappa value of 0.8 (95 % CI 0.7, 0.9). The drug seller compliance with the reported malaria RDT results and kappa value were 92.5% and 0.8 (95% CI 0.7, 0.9), respectively. The performance of the three diagnostic strategies compared with FTA PCR as the gold standard had sensitivity between 76.6% and 86.9%, specificity above 90%, positive predictive value ranging from 79% to 89.8% and negative predictive value above 90%.Conclusion:Drug sellers can use of malaria RDTs in field conditions and achieve acceptable accuracy for malaria diagnosis, and they comply with the malaria RDT results. Plasmodium DNA can be recovered from malaria RDT nitrocellulose strips even in the context of drug shops. Future malaria surveillance and diagnostic quality control studies with malaria RDT cassette as a source of Plasmodium DNA are recommended.
|
|
