Delay in seeking treatment for children when they have fevers is among some findings in an on-going trial into the home-management of fevers in children aged under-five in the Dangme West district of Ghana.
Mrs Abbey making her presentations |
The trial, in its last year, is aimed among others, at getting the community to manage fevers in young children within the home environment.
It is also to measure the impact of the home management of fevers on mortality and morbidity in children.
The Dodowa Health Research Centre in the Dangme West district is carrying out the study.
Mrs Mercy Abbey, a Social Scientist at the Research Centre, said the aim of the study is to prevent deaths among children by training Community Based Agents (CBAs) who are resident in the communities to diagnose and administer treatment for fevers and simple malaria and to refer cases when it is beyond their capability.
Promptness of treatment of fevers associated with malaria reduces progression of simple malaria to severe forms, especially among children.
Mrs Abbey speaking to journalists from the African Media and Malaria Research Network in Dodowa, said under the project, free anti-malarial drugs are supplied to the communities to enable the CBAs treat cases promptly.
She said there are cases where some people do not go to the health facility when referred by the CBAs.
According to Mrs Abbey, sustaining drug supplies and motivation for the CBAs are some of the challenges the trial is facing. |
