Rational use of antibiotics by community health workers and caregivers for children with suspected pneumonia in Zambia: a cross-sectional mixed methods study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Helen Counihan¹  Sarala Nicholas¹  Kirstie Graham¹  Prudence Hamade¹  Karin Källander¹  James Tibenderana²  Mark Montague²  Samuel Mukupa³  Chomba Sinyangwe³  Rebecca King⁴ 

[1] Malaria Consortium, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, EC2A 4LT, London, UK;Malaria Consortium, Kampala, Uganda;Malaria Consortium, Mansa, Luapula Province, Zambia;Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK;

关键词: Pneumonia;    Community health workers;    Integrated community case management;    Rational use;    Antibiotics;    Adherence;    Caregivers;    COMDIS-HSD;    Malaria Consortium;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-016-3541-8

 received in 2016-02-18, accepted in 2016-08-18,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance is an issue of growing global concern. One key strategy to minimise further development of resistance is the rational use of antibiotics, by providers and patients alike. Through integrated community case management (iCCM), children diagnosed with suspected pneumonia are treated with antibiotics; one component of an essential package to reduce child mortality and increase access to health care for remote populations. Through the use of clinical algorithms, supportive supervision and training, iCCM also offers the opportunity to improve the rational use of antibiotics and limit the spread of resistance in resource-poor contexts. This study provides evidence on antibiotic use by community health workers (CHWs) and caregivers to inform iCCM programmes, safeguarding current treatments whilst maximising access to care.Methods1497 CHW consultations were directly observed by non-clinical researchers, with measurement of respiratory rate by CHWs recorded by video. Videos were used to conduct a retrospective reference standard assessment of respiratory rate by experts. Fifty-five caregivers whose children were prescribed a 5-day course of antibiotics for suspected pneumonia were followed up on day six to assess adherence through structured interviews and pill counts. Six focus group discussions and nine in depth interviews were conducted with CHWs and caregivers to supplement quantitative findings.ResultsThe findings indicate that CHWs adhered to treatment guidelines for 92 % of children seen, prescribing treatment corresponding to their assessment. However, only 65 % of antibiotics prescribed were given for children with experts’ confirmed fast breathing pneumonia. Qualitative data indicates that CHWs have a good understanding of pneumonia diagnosis, and although caregivers sometimes applied pressure to receive drugs, CHWs stated that treatment decisions were not influenced. 46 % of caregivers were fully adherent and gave their child the full 5-day course of dispersible amoxicillin. If caregivers who gave treatment for 3 to 5 days were considered, adherence increased to 76 %.ConclusionsCHWs are capable of prescribing treatment corresponding to their assessment of respiratory rate. However, rational use of antibiotics could be strengthened through improved respiratory rate assessment, and better diagnostic tools. Furthermore, a shorter course of dispersible amoxicillin could potentially improve caregiver adherence, reducing risk of resistance and cost.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016