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Effectiveness of Peer-supervision on Paediatric Fever Treatment among Registered Private Drug Sellers in East-Central Uganda: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
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  • Arthur Bagonza,
  • Freddy Kitutu,
  • Stefan Peterson,
  • Andreas Mårtensson,
  • Milton Mutto,
  • Phyllis Awor,
  • David Mukanga,
  • Henry Wamani
Arthur Bagonza
Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Corresponding Author:abagonza@musph.ac.ug

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Freddy Kitutu
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
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Stefan Peterson
Uppsala University
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Andreas Mårtensson
Uppsala University
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Milton Mutto
Makerere University School of Public Health
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Phyllis Awor
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
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David Mukanga
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Henry Wamani
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
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Abstract

Rationale, aims and objectives: Appropriate treatment of paediatric fever in rural areas remains a challenge and may be partly due to inadequate supervision of licensed drug sellers. This study assessed the effectiveness of peer-supervision among drug sellers on appropriate treatment of pneumonia symptoms, uncomplicated malaria and non-bloody diarrhoea among children less than five years of age in the intervention (Luuka) and comparison (Buyende) districts, in East-Central Uganda. Methods: Data on pneumonia symptoms, uncomplicated malaria and non-bloody diarrhoea among children less than five years of age was abstracted from drug shop sick child registers over a 12-month period; six months before and six months after introduction of peer-supervision. Interrupted time series was applied to determine the effectiveness of the peer-supervision intervention on appropriate treatment of pneumonia, uncomplicated malaria and non-bloody diarrhoea among children less than five years of age attending drug shops in East Central Uganda. Results: The proportion of children treated appropriately for pneumonia symptoms was 10.84% (P<0.05, CI = [1.75, 19.9]) higher, for uncomplicated malaria was 1.46% (P = 0.79, CI = [-10.43, 13.36]) higher, and for non-bloody diarrhoea was 4.00% (p <0.05, CI = [-7.95, -0.13]) lower in the intervention district than the comparison district, respectively. Post-intervention trend results showed an increase of 1.21% (p =0.008, CI = [0.36, 2.05]) in the proportion appropriately treated for pneumonia symptoms, no difference in appropriate treatment for uncomplicated malaria, and a reduction of 1% (p <0.06, CI = [-1.95, 0.02]) in the proportion of children appropriately treated for non-bloody diarrhoea, respectively. Conclusions: Peer-supervision increased the proportion of children less than five years of age that received appropriate treatment for pneumonia symptoms but not for uncomplicated malaria and non-bloody diarrhoea. Implementation of community level interventions to improve paediatric fever management should consider including peer-supervision among drug sellers.
16 Jun 2020Submitted to Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
18 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor