Co-trimoxazole: Job Aids and Information to Increase and Sustain Use

From the Case Study Series from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s AIDSTAR-One (AIDS Support and Technical Assistance Resources, Sector 1, Task Order 1), these interrelated tools are designed to meet the information and behaviour change communication (BCC) needs of both providers and clients, complementing in-country Co-trimoxazole guidelines. Co-trimoxazole is an antibiotic that reduces rates of opportunistic infections, such as malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, and death among adults and children living with HIV. According to USAID, a key barrier to appropriate Co-trimoxazole use is limited awareness about the benefits of using the antibiotic as a prophylaxis. Thus, through a collaborative effort involving USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and clinicians and behaviour change specialists in Uganda, AIDSTAR-One developed these job aids, posters, and brochures for the household and health care levels to provide clear and accessible instructions for proper Co-trimoxazole use.

The materials feature images and graphics that are designed to be easy to understand, especially in low-literacy settings. The materials developed for health providers emphasise the benefits of Co-trimoxazole, provide dosage information, and include details of eligibility and contraindications. The materials developed for clients depict the benefits of Co-trimoxazole and how and when to take it, as well as recommend when to seek care in the presence of side effects. All tools are adaptable for use in any country and can be displayed in health care settings and community locations, and/or used at the household level by community health workers, caregivers, or clients.