Malaria: A manual for community health workers

Summary: Explains the many simple things that community health workers can do to treat malaria, prevent new cases, and thus help reduce the alarming number of deaths, particularly in young children and pregnant women. Practical in its approach, the manual concentrates on activities that are within the competence of health workers and feasible and affordable at the community level. Information ranges from a basic explanation of the disease and its transmission, to tables illustrating correct treatment schedules for different age groups. The manual, which is abundantly illustrated, can be used in training courses, as a support to the health worker's day-to-day activities, or as a tool for health education in the community. The main purpose is to communicate basic facts and messages that, if widely understood within a community, could do much to reduce the incidence and severity of malaria. Chloroquine is presented as the first-line treatment. The manual has three parts. The first explains what community health workers can do to control malaria, and lists the essential medicines and equipment needed. Part two introduces basic facts about malaria and the behaviour of mosquitos, and elaborates three main approaches to malaria prevention in communities. The third and most extensive part sets out step-by-step instructions for the recognition and treatment of malaria, giving particular attention to standard malaria treatment schedules, measures for ensuring compliance, what to do when standard treatment fails, and how to recognize, treat, and refer severe cases. The management of malaria in young children and pregnant women also receives special attention.