Quality of Childcare Provided by Community Oriented Resource Persons

This study assessed the quality of childcare provided by Community-Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) trained in Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) one year after donor funding ended in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 291 CORPs in Paikoro, Lapai and Mariga LGAs used interviews, direct observation, child re-examination, assessment of medicines and equipment, and caregiver exit interviews. Only 21.3% of CORPs remained fully active in iCCM, but those providing services demonstrated reasonable competence in managing malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. Performance was strongest in diarrhoea management but weaker in malaria diagnosis, danger-sign assessment, counselling and referral. Frequent stock-outs of zinc, oral rehydration salts, antibiotics and antimalarials affected service delivery. Despite these challenges, caregivers considered CORPs as trusted, convenient and satisfactory providers. The findings suggest that community health workers can retain essential clinical skills beyond donor support, but sustained quality requires regular supervision, refresher training, reliable supplies, government support and stronger referral systems.