Starting at the community

Treatment-seeking pathways of children with suspected severe malaria in Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID19594564
AuthorsNina C Brunner (0000-0001-8488-690X, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Aliya Karim (0000-0002-3665-217X, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Proscovia Athieno (0000-0003-3312-3915, Makerere University, corresponding author), Joseph Kimera (0000-0002-5075-9512, Makerere University, corresponding author), Gloria Tumukunde (0000-0003-2458-906X, Makerere University, corresponding author), Irene Angiro (Makerere University, corresponding author), Aita Signorell (0000-0003-3890-3910, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Giulia Delvento (0000-0003-2213-0669, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Tristan Lee (0000-0002-7391-8379, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Mark Lambiris (0000-0003-1337-1778, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Alex Ogwal (0000-0003-2888-3119, corresponding author), Juliet Nakiganda (corresponding author), Flavia Mpanga (0000-0002-8890-8325, corresponding author), Fred Kagwire (corresponding author), Maureen Amutuhaire (0000-0002-2381-0052, Ministry of Health, corresponding author), C Burri (0000-0001-5418-1984, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Christian Lengeler (0000-0002-8883-7950, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Phyllis Awor (0000-0003-0815-5392, Makerere University, corresponding author), Manuel W Hetzel (0000-0002-5285-3254, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author)
EditorsRuth Ashton (0000-0001-6282-0352)
Year2023
Volume3
Issue7
Pagese0001949
Publication date2023-07-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0001949
PMID37405978
OpenAlexW4383199220
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited40

Community health workers (CHW) usually refer children with suspected severe malaria to the nearest public health facility or a designated public referral health facility (RHF). Caregivers do not always follow this recommendation. This study aimed at identifying post-referral treatment-seeking pathways that lead to appropriate antimalarial treatment for children less than five years with suspected severe malaria. An observational study in Uganda enrolled children below five years presenting to CHWs with signs of severe malaria. Children were followed up 28 days after enrolment to assess their condition and treatment-seeking history, including referral advice and provision of antimalarial treatment from visited providers. Of 2211 children included in the analysis, 96% visited a second provider after attending a CHW. The majority of CHWs recommended caregivers to take their child to a designated RHF (65%); however, only 59% followed this recommendation. Many children were brought to a private clinic (33%), even though CHWs rarely recommended this type of provider (3%). Children who were brought to a private clinic were more likely to receive an injection than children brought to a RHF (78% vs 51%, p

Artemisinin · Environmental health · Family medicine · Health facility · Health services · Malaria · Odds ratio · Plasmodium falciparum · Population · Public health · Referral · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health · Malaria Research and Control · Medicine · Nursing · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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