Preventing Malaria and Anaemia in Ghanaian Children
Author Information
Author(s): Kweku Margaret, Liu Dongmei, Adjuik Martin, Binka Fred, Seidu Mahmood, Greenwood Brian, Chandramohan Daniel
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
Does intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine or artesunate plus amodiaquine reduce anaemia and malaria in children in Ghana?
Conclusion
Intermittent preventive treatment is safe and effective in reducing malaria and anaemia in Ghanaian children.
Supporting Evidence
- Monthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced malaria incidence by 69%.
- Bimonthly sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine reduced malaria incidence by 24%.
- Bimonthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced malaria incidence by 17%.
- No significant increase in clinical malaria incidence post-intervention for older children.
Takeaway
Giving special medicine to kids every month can help keep them from getting sick with malaria and anaemia.
Methodology
2451 children aged 3–59 months were randomized to receive either placebo or treatment with artesunate plus amodiaquine or sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine over six months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to community-based volunteers administering treatment and monitoring adherence.
Limitations
The study had an imbalance in the number of children allocated to each group and relied on self-reported adherence.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 3–59 months from 30 villages in Ghana.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 63%, 74%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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