Implementation research on enhanced community case management of pneumonia in Bangladesh: study protocol

Background: Previous trials in Africa and Asia, including Bangladesh, showed that community health workers can effectively treat young infants (7-59 days) with fast breathing and children (2-59 months) with chest indrawing pneumonia at home with oral amoxicillin using enhanced integrated community case management (iCCM) protocols. However, the Enhanced Management of Pneumonia in Community (EMPIC), its pneumonia-specific component, has not yet been applied in routine government health systems. Here, we developed a protocol for a feasibility study on the integration of EMPIC into community clinics in Bangladesh through existing government health systems. Methods: This study will adopt an implementation research approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative methods. A delivery package will be co-developed with stakeholders to introduce enhanced pneumonia management through…