title: Community health workers' experiences and perspectives on mass drug administration for schistosomiasis control in western Kenya: the SCORE Project.
abstract: Abstract. The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) includes communitywide treatment in areas with ≥ 25% prevalence of schistosomiasis along the shores of Lake Victoria using community health workers (CHWs). The CHWs are key drivers in community-owned mass drug administration (MDA) intervention programs. We explored their experiences and perceptions after initial MDA participation. Unstructured open-ended group discussions were conducted after completion of MDA activities. Narratives were obtained from CHWs using a digital audio recorder during the group discussion, transcribed verbatim and translated into English where applicable. Thematic decomposition of data was done using ATLAS.t.i. software. From the perspective of the CHWs, factors influencing MDA compliance included drug side effects, food supply stability, and conspiracy theories about the "real" purpose of treatment. The interest of CHWs to serve as community drug distributors stemmed from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Feedback from CHWs can promote more effective MDA in rural Kenyan communities.
authors.affiliation: Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
authors.forename: Martin O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Omedo
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Matey
authors.forename: Alphonce
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awiti
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogutu
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alaii
authors.forename: Diana M S
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Karanja
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: W Evan
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Secor
authors.forename: Pauline N M
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Mwinzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003150:Community Health Workers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012556:Schistosomicides