Magnitude and predictors of pre-referral treatment by Community Health Workers practicing in Rural South Western Uganda: A cross sectional study

Abstract Background Pre-referral treatment is critical for management of childhood illnesses. Under iCCM strategy, community health workers (CHWs) give pre-referral treatment to children under five years of age with danger signs. The study examined the magnitude and predictors of pre-referral treatment in a rural setting. Methods A retrospective study premised on secondary data reviewed was conducted in 2022. The data reviewed was based on CHWs records March 2014 to December 2018. A total of 1,086 child records that were referred by the CHWs were included in the anlysis. Results The mean age of children reviewed was 24.5 months (SD ± 17). Of these, one hundred twenty five (12%) received pre-referral treatment. Children presenting with RDT positive results (aOR = 2.9, 95%CI: 1.6-5.0), diarrhea (aOR = 3.8, 95%CI: 2.0-7.1), fast breathing (aOR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.3-4.0) and danger signs (aOR = 5.6, 95%CI: 3.1–10.1) were more likely to receive pre-referral treatment. Conclusion The proportion of children that received pre-referral treatment among those who were referred was low. Receipt of pre-referral treatment was associated with having a sign danger sign, a positive RDT result, diarrhea and pneumonia.