The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
-
Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Mar 1992
Community participation in malaria surveillance and treatment. I. The Volunteer Collaborator Network of Guatemala.
The Volunteer Collaborator Networks (VCNs) of Latin America are one of the oldest and most successful examples of community participation in malaria control. They are made up of unpaid community volunteers, known as Volunteer Collaborators, who are selected by their neighbors and are trained and supervised by a member of the National Malaria Service (NMS). When a febrile patient visits the home of a Volunteer Collaborator, the volunteer worker takes a thick blood smear, completes a patient report form, and administers a presumptive treatment for malaria. ⋯ With modifications tailored to meet the objectives of a malaria control program and the local epidemiologic setting, the VCN can serve as an excellent model for community participation in malaria case detection and treatment in other regions of the world. In particular, in areas where the primary goal of the malaria program is to prevent mortality and morbidity through the provision of readily accessible, appropriate drug therapy, VCNs are an attractive alternative to self-medication and an effective adjunct to treatment of malaria at health posts which are often located at a considerable distance from the patient's village. Experience gained with this system can be valuable in developing approaches to community involvement in other efforts to improve the health of villagers in developing countries.