Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Support supervision improves performance outcomes among health workers. However, the national professional guidelines for new licenses and renewal for Class C drug shops in Uganda prescribe self-supervision of licensed private drug sellers. Without support supervision, inappropri...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-020-03343-0 |
| _version_ | 1818514464875479040 |
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| author | Arthur Bagonza Henry Wamani Stefan Peterson Andreas Mårtensson Milton Mutto David Musoke Freddy Eric Kitutu David Mukanga Linda Gibson Phyllis Awor |
| author_facet | Arthur Bagonza Henry Wamani Stefan Peterson Andreas Mårtensson Milton Mutto David Musoke Freddy Eric Kitutu David Mukanga Linda Gibson Phyllis Awor |
| author_sort | Arthur Bagonza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Support supervision improves performance outcomes among health workers. However, the national professional guidelines for new licenses and renewal for Class C drug shops in Uganda prescribe self-supervision of licensed private drug sellers. Without support supervision, inappropriate treatment of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea among children under 5 years of age continues unabated. This study assessed experiences of drug sellers and peer supervisors at the end of a peer supervision intervention in Luuka District in East Central Uganda. Methods Eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with peer supervisors while five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among registered drug sellers at the end of the peer supervision intervention. The study assessed experiences and challenges of peer supervisors and drug sellers regarding peer supervision. Transcripts were imported into Atlas.ti 7 qualitative data management software where they were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Initially, peer supervisors were disliked and regarded by drug sellers as another extension of drug inspectors. However, with time a good relationship was established between drug sellers and peer supervisors leading to regular, predictable and supportive peer supervision. This increased confidence of drug sellers in using respiratory timers and rapid diagnostic tests in diagnosing pneumonia symptoms and uncomplicated malaria, respectively, among children under 5 years. There was also an improvement in completing the sick child register which was used for self-assessment by drug sellers. The drug shop association was mentioned as a place where peer supervision should be anchored since it was a one-stop centre for sharing experiences and continuous professional development. Drug sellers proposed including community health workers in monthly drug shop association meetings so that they may also gain from the associated benefits. Untimely completion of the sick child registers by drug sellers and inadequate financial resources were the main peer supervision challenges mentioned. Conclusion Drug sellers benefitted from peer supervision by developing a good relationship with peer supervisors. This relationship guaranteed reliable and predictable supervision ultimately leading to improved treatment practices. There is need to explore the minimum resources needed for peer supervision of drug sellers to further inform practice and policy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:16:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4510cc0bf5dd4e208c4c96194b8eefca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:16:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-4510cc0bf5dd4e208c4c96194b8eefca2022-12-22T01:27:56ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752020-07-0119111110.1186/s12936-020-03343-0Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative studyArthur Bagonza0Henry Wamani1Stefan Peterson2Andreas Mårtensson3Milton Mutto4David Musoke5Freddy Eric Kitutu6David Mukanga7Linda Gibson8Phyllis Awor9Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthDepartment of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthInternational Maternal and Child Health Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Makerere University College of Health SciencesBill and Melinda Gates FoundationSchool of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent UniversityDepartment of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthAbstract Background Support supervision improves performance outcomes among health workers. However, the national professional guidelines for new licenses and renewal for Class C drug shops in Uganda prescribe self-supervision of licensed private drug sellers. Without support supervision, inappropriate treatment of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea among children under 5 years of age continues unabated. This study assessed experiences of drug sellers and peer supervisors at the end of a peer supervision intervention in Luuka District in East Central Uganda. Methods Eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with peer supervisors while five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among registered drug sellers at the end of the peer supervision intervention. The study assessed experiences and challenges of peer supervisors and drug sellers regarding peer supervision. Transcripts were imported into Atlas.ti 7 qualitative data management software where they were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Initially, peer supervisors were disliked and regarded by drug sellers as another extension of drug inspectors. However, with time a good relationship was established between drug sellers and peer supervisors leading to regular, predictable and supportive peer supervision. This increased confidence of drug sellers in using respiratory timers and rapid diagnostic tests in diagnosing pneumonia symptoms and uncomplicated malaria, respectively, among children under 5 years. There was also an improvement in completing the sick child register which was used for self-assessment by drug sellers. The drug shop association was mentioned as a place where peer supervision should be anchored since it was a one-stop centre for sharing experiences and continuous professional development. Drug sellers proposed including community health workers in monthly drug shop association meetings so that they may also gain from the associated benefits. Untimely completion of the sick child registers by drug sellers and inadequate financial resources were the main peer supervision challenges mentioned. Conclusion Drug sellers benefitted from peer supervision by developing a good relationship with peer supervisors. This relationship guaranteed reliable and predictable supervision ultimately leading to improved treatment practices. There is need to explore the minimum resources needed for peer supervision of drug sellers to further inform practice and policy.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-020-03343-0Drug shopsDrug sellersPneumoniaMalariaDiarrhoeaPeer supervision |
| spellingShingle | Arthur Bagonza Henry Wamani Stefan Peterson Andreas Mårtensson Milton Mutto David Musoke Freddy Eric Kitutu David Mukanga Linda Gibson Phyllis Awor Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study Malaria Journal Drug shops Drug sellers Pneumonia Malaria Diarrhoea Peer supervision |
| title | Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in East-Central Uganda: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | peer supervision experiences of drug sellers in a rural district in east central uganda a qualitative study |
| topic | Drug shops Drug sellers Pneumonia Malaria Diarrhoea Peer supervision |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-020-03343-0 |
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