Home based management of fever strategy in Uganda: assessment of implementation and operation at the district and community levels.

This assessment was carried out in order to document the community implementation of the Home-Based Management of Fever/Malaria (HBMF) strategy in three districts of Kumi Kiboga and Masindi in Uganda. Evidence shows that the Drugs Distributors (DDs) were selected democratically by community members as laid out in the implementation guidelines. Overall 70% of the selected DDs were also working as Community Resource Persons (CORPS) indicating a relatively high degree of integration of HBMF into other community based health activities. Almost all aspects of the health system/facilities support required for successful HBMF implementation in the community need to be strengthened. Results from this study show that the programs strengths include: sensitization of community members and leaders about the HBMF strategy and their expected role; and recruiting and training DDs at the community level. Challenges include integration of HBMF with other health interventions supervision and motivation of DDs and stock outs of drug supplies. Several recommendations for continued implementation and expansion are provided. (authors)