Knowledge and practices of anti-malarial treatment for children under five years among village health teams in Kasese District, Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 in Uganda, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Village health teams (VHTs) play a pivotal role in community-based malaria diagnosis and treatment, yet their knowledge and practices remain understudied. To assess the knowledge and practice of antimalarial drug use among VHTs for children under 5 years in Kasese District, Uganda.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 VHTs using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize VHT characteristics, knowledge, and practice scores. Chi-square tests were performed to assess associations between socio-demographic characteristics and key dispensing practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 26.

Results

The majority of VHTs demonstrated basic knowledge in antimalarial treatment, with 70.6% routinely checking expiration dates and 76.5% instructing caregivers on when to administer medications. However, fewer VHTs informed caregivers about side effects (21.6%), drug interactions (29.4%), or the effects of herbal medicines (19.6%). Significant associations were found between educational level and multiple dispensing practices (p <0.05), including giving drugs based on rapid diagnostic test results and appropriately addressing caregiver requests.

Conclusions

While VHTs in Kasese District generally adhere to key elements of antimalarial drug administration, gaps persist in their pharmacological knowledge and patient education practices. Strengthening ongoing training and supervision may improve rational antimalarial drug use and treatment outcomes in children under 5 years old.