Improving Community Case Management of Childhood Malaria

A document describing how social science research can inform and guide policy formulation and the design of interventions for improved treatment of febrile illness. The cornerstone of the Regional Malaria Control Strategy in Africa is prompt and effective treatment of malaria illness. Provision of timely and effective treatment is challenged by issues of access, cost, compliance, and antimalarial drug resistance. Review and revision of treatment policies and the development of effective interventions at household, community and facility levels can be greatly enhanced by an adequate understanding of human behavior.

This document can be used to plan appropriate social science investigations as part of policy and programme review. The document is intended for programme managers and policy makers. However, the document describes the resources required for such research (human and material) and links to a companion document, which comprises the study protocols themselves, to be used by trained social scientists.

The document is based on work carried out by the authors with their colleagues in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Benin and Mozambique as part of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported projects.