Feasibility and acceptability of artemisinin-based combination therapy for the home management of malaria in four African sites

2008

Using Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy for Home Treatment of Malaria

Sample size: 2190 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ajayi Ikeoluwapo O, Browne Edmund N, Garshong Bertha, Bateganya Fred, Yusuf Bidemi, Agyei-Baffour Peter, Doamekpor Leticia, Balyeku Andrew, Munguti Kaendi, Cousens Simon, Pagnoni Franco

Primary Institution: Malaria Research Laboratories, Institute of Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Hypothesis

Can artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) be effectively integrated into the home management of malaria in African communities?

Conclusion

ACTs can be successfully integrated into the home management of malaria strategy.

Supporting Evidence

20,000 fever episodes in young children were treated with ACT by CMDs across the four study sites.
59% of febrile children received ACT from a CMD.
Coverage varied from 52% in Nigeria to 75% in Ho District, Ghana.
A very high proportion of children received the first dose on the day of onset or the next day (range 86–97%).
The proportion of children correctly treated in terms of dose and duration was high (range 74–97%).

Takeaway

This study shows that giving malaria treatment at home can work well, helping many sick children get better quickly.

Methodology

A multi-country study was conducted in four sites in Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda, where community medicine distributors were trained to dispense ACT to children with fever.