The Impact of Medical Assistants on the Health Status of Rural Sierra Leoneans - A Study Design

Abstract

<p>The issues relating to planning for health care delivery in developing countries, the current health care delivery system in rural Sierra Leone and the health care problem of this rural population particularly infant and children, have been examined. The research literature was reviewed and the various options for health care delivery systems to rural communities were discussed.</p> <p>A design for a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of health care teams led by medical assistants working in pairs in reducing infant and childhood mortality and malnutrition and improving sanitation and safe water supplies of communities will be compared with effectiveness of health care teams led by nurse dispensers working in pairs and individually, has been presented. The proposed study is intended to be carried out in nine chiefdoms in rural Sierra Leone and it is expected to last for 52 months.</p> <p>It is anticipated that the result of the study will provide information useful to the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone to plan for a future health care delivery system in rural Sierra Leone.</p>