Intervention
malaria, diarrhoea
MALARIA, RECRUITMENT
The intervention comprised the activation of CHVs. CHVs’ core task was to visit each household once every 2 months. They were recommended to spend at least 30 minutes on each visit. During the visits, CHVs were instructed to use visuals to provide health education on 10 key messages. The messages included information on preventing diarrhoea and malaria: specifically, stating that proper hand-washing and improved hygiene and sanitation can prevent diarrhoea and sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net can prevent malaria. CHVs were also encouraged to support CHOs and mobilise community members to attend child welfare clinics, which were held on a monthly basis in the community.We worked to integrate our interventions into the national health system and minimise external interference. CHVs were recruited by community committees based on their literacy, volunteerism, and work experience. Ghana Health Service’s District Health Management Team coordinated the recruitment process according to national guidelines. The CHVs were trained for 5 days before being deployed. During the training, CHVs learned the basics of essential child healthcare as well as the concepts, roles, and responsibilities of the CHPS system, and reporting and recording skills.