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Last Mile Perspective on ORS, zinc, and cotrimoxazole from CHWs in Malawi and Ethiopia

In September and October 2012, the SC4CCM Project conducted focus group discussions with community health workers who have been providing community case management (CCM) services and treatment to children under five in Malawi and Ethiopia. The purpose of the focus groups was to elicit the community health workers’ opinions on the suitability of the products they had for their environment – both from a supply chain and client perspective. The products of interest included ORS and zinc for the treatment of diarrhea and cotrimoxazole for the treatment of pneumonia. The facilitators asked CHW participants questions to gather feedback related to the products in use, the ease of management and administration, patient and caregiver/mother acceptability, and ideas for product improvement. This report summarizes the opinions from CHWs in both countries, highlighting areas of agreement and where opinions differed.