Community level understanding of the concept of pre-referral treatment and impact on referral-related decision-making following provision of rectal artesunate. A qualitative study in Western Uganda

Since 2009 Malaria Consortium has been supporting the Uganda Ministry of Health in the implementation
of integrated Community Case Management (iCCM). Pre-referral treatment has formed an integral part of this programming. Successful pre-referral treatment with RAS for suspected severe malaria requires operative linkages between community health workers (CHWs) and referral facilities, as well as acceptance of pre-referral treatment and adherence to referral practices by both caregivers and CHWs. This study investigated how the concept of ‘pre-referral treatment’ is used in referral related decision-making following provision of RAS at the community level.