Theme 2: Formative Research

We will conduct formative research in four African countries (Malawi, Uganda, Benin, and Kenya) to effectively integrate PDMC (Post-Discharge Malaria Chemoprevention) into routine care for children discharged after severe anaemia treatment. The research will inform implementation strategies in Malawi and Uganda, where strategy development is in early stages, and aid in co-developing pilot implementation trials in Benin and Kenya.

The process involves:

1. Document Review and Context Analysis: Reviewing existing malaria control policies, community health care strategies, health technologies, sector priorities, and identifying key stakeholders.
2. In-depth Interviews: Engaging healthcare policymakers, managers, providers, national stakeholders, clinical practitioners, community health workers, caregivers, and community leaders to gather their views on PDMC, drug/regimen preferences, and feasibility of different delivery mechanisms.
3. Strategy Development: Using findings from document reviews and interviews to explore preferred community delivery strategies for PDMC.
4. Results will be analyzed before finalizing the implementation trial protocols in Benin and Kenya, with discussions held with MOH stakeholders to select the PDMC drug and regimen and evaluate at least two alternative delivery strategies in the trials.