The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45434

Pieter Ernst, MD, Vurhonga Child Survival Project, World Relief Mozambique, Rua Jose Mateus 274, Maputo, Mozambique, Anbrasi Edward-Raj, PhD, MPH, International Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-955-3928, pernst@wr.org, Melanie M. Morrow, MPH, Child Survival Specialist, World Relief, 7 East Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21202, and W. Meredith Long, DrPH, Director of International Health, World Relief Corporation, P.O. Box 868, Baltimore, MD 21203.

Since the Alma Ata declaration, developing countries have relied extensively on community health workers as frontline providers of care in the health system. Although they have made considerable contributions in promoting the health of the community high attrition and the lack of a supportive environment have not resulted in the expected impact. Methodology: The Care Group Model has demonstrated promise in terms of instituting a sustainable community group as the volunteers are recruited by the community and are given primary responsibility for 10 families in the community, which they consider feasible to manage. Training is conducted through the ministry of health to ensure that standard preventive and case management guidelines are followed for prevention and care of children with diarrhea, ARI, Malaria, and other child survival indicators. Results: Proportion of children with fever who received treatment for Malaria within 24 hours in a health facility increased from 28 to 89%. Similar improvements were seen for children with difficulty or fast breathing received referral care (2-100%). Proportion of underfive children who slept under a bed net throughout the year increased to 81%, and 93% of caretakers administered ORT to children with diarrhea. Emphasis on caring for families and the manageable case load are some of the key factors that contributed to improved outcomes. The model illustrates a promising potential for instituting an effective system for community based IMCI to promote essential household behaviors, home based/community care of sick children and improving utilization of referral facilities for those diagnosed with danger signs.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the process of instituting a community based care group model
• 2. Illustrate results achieved in select health indicators through the care group model
• 3. Identify key factors that build program sustainability

Keywords: Community Health Promoters, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.