Evaluating the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of integrating mass drug administration for helminth control with seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Ghanaian children: Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
2025

Integrating Drug Treatments for Malaria and Helminths in Ghanaian Children

Sample size: 1200 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Afolabi Muhammed O., Adu‐Gyasi Dennis, Paintain Lucy, Tawiah Theresa, Ali Mohammed Sanni, Greenwood Brian, Asante Kwaku Poku

Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Hypothesis

Haemoglobin concentration will be higher in the combined SMC-MDA group than in the SMC alone group.

Conclusion

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of combining seasonal malaria chemoprevention with mass drug administration for helminth control in children.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study will assess the impact of integrated drug delivery on anaemia prevalence.
  • Cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted to inform public health recommendations.
  • Previous studies have shown the feasibility of integrated approaches in similar settings.

Takeaway

This study is trying to find out if giving two medicines together can help kids in Ghana stay healthier by preventing anemia caused by malaria and worms.

Methodology

A cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted with 1200 children aged 5–10 years, comparing combined SMC and anthelminthic drugs to SMC alone.

Potential Biases

Potential bias may arise from community-level randomization and participant selection.

Limitations

The study may be limited by the geographical focus and the specific age range of participants.

Participant Demographics

Children aged 5-10 years from communities in Ghana with high malaria and helminth burdens.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/tmi.14062

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