Management of acute respiratory infections by community health volunteers: experience of Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)
Hadi, A.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 81(3): 183-189
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-9686 PMID: 12764514 Document Number: 246070
Objective: To assess the role of management practices for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in improving the competency of community health volunteers in diagnosing and treating acute respiratory infections among children. Methods: During December 1998-February 1999, a group of research physicians observed the performance of a sample of 120 health volunteers in 10 subdistricts in Bangladesh, wherein the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) had run a community-based ARI control programme since mid-1992. Standardized tests were conducted until the 95% interphysician reliability on the observation of clinical examination was achieved. Findings: The sensitivity, specificity, and overall agreement rates in diagnosing and treating ARIs were significantly higher among the health volunteers who had basic training and were supervised routinely than among those who had not. Conclusion: Diagnosis and treatment of ARIs at the household level in developing countries are possible if intensive basic training and the close supervision of service providers are ensured.