Community health workers and stand-alone or integrated case management of malaria: A systematic literature review

Lucy Smith Paintain, Barbara Willey, Sarah Kedenge, Alyssa Sharkey, Julia Kim, Valentina Buj, Jayne Webster, David Schellenberg, Ngashi Ngongo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of strategies to improve community case management (CCM) of malaria. Forty-three studies were included; most (38) reported indicators of community health worker (CHW) performance, 14 reported on malaria CCMintegrated with other child health interventions, 16 reported on health system capacity, and 13 reported on referral. The CHWs are able to provide good quality malaria care, including performing procedures such as rapid diagnostic tests. Appropriate training, clear guidelines, and regular supportive supervision are important facilitating factors. Crucial to sustainable success of CHW programs is strengthening health system capacity to support commodity supply, supervision, and appropriate treatment of referred cases. The little evidence available on referral from community to health facility level suggests that this is an area that needs priority attention. The studies of integrated CCM suggest that additional tasks do not reduce the quality of malaria CCM provided sufficient training and supervision is maintained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)461-470
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume91
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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