Community Based Management of Malaria: exploring the capacity/performance of Community Based Agents and their motivation in Tamale, northern region of Ghana 2013

Abstract

Background: The use of antimalarial drugs and the prevention of man and vector contact remain the major control and prevention strategy of malaria until the availability of effective and safe vaccine. In Africa, one of the major strategies to malaria control and prevention is the home based malaria strategy through which trained community drug distributors identify and provide antimalarial drugs to children under five years with fever. This research aims at exploring the capacity, performance, and motivation of CBAs in Tamale Metropolis, Northern region, Ghana Methodology: A Survey, in-depth interviews and short ethnographic techniques were conducted among 104 CBAs who were trained and given logistical support to assess and treat children less than five years with malaria presumptively at home. Participants were selected randomly and represented urban, peri-urban and rural settings. Results: 96.2% of respondents identified malaria by presence of fever while 92.3% used fever as a cardinal sign. More than 82% of participants provided early treatment in all the three location. 64.4% of participants administered the correct number of days while 32.7% administered daily doses correctly, only 24% of CBAs knew that the Antimalarial medications they use have some side effects. 77.9% knew when to repeat drug dose when child vomit or when parent forget to give the dose. Most of the participant had registers and were reporting monthly, however, only 26.2% are somewhat motivated by some of the existing of the motivational packages. Conclusion: The overall performance and skills demonstrated by the CBAs are encouraging in all the three settings but documentation and reporting remains a challenge. Community based initiatives should be strengthened and promoted to provide homemade solutions in saving lives especially in resources limited settings. If community interventions such as community drug distribution of antimalarial drugs are needed to improving access to malaria prevention, much attention to what motivates individuals to strengthen their spirit of volunteerism is required.