Malaria Morbidity in Children After Preventive Treatment in Mali
Author Information
Author(s): Dicko Alassane, Barry Amadou, Dicko Mohamed, Diallo Abdoulbaki I., Tembine Intimbeye, Dicko Yahia, Dara Niawanlou, Sidibe Youssoufa, Santara Gaoussou, Conaré Toumani, Chandramohan Daniel, Cousens Simon, Milligan Paul J., Diallo Diadier A., Doumbo Ogobara K., Greenwood Brian
Primary Institution: Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Medicine Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Hypothesis
Are children who received intermittent preventive treatment (IPTc) at increased risk of malaria in the following transmission season?
Conclusion
IPTc with SP+AQ was not associated with an increase in incidence of malaria episodes, prevalence of malaria infection or anaemia in the subsequent malaria transmission season.
Supporting Evidence
- 1396 of 1508 children who received IPTc were followed up during the high malaria transmission season.
- Incidence rates of clinical malaria were similar between the IPTc and placebo groups.
- The prevalence of malaria infection was also similar in both groups.
- No significant increase in anaemia prevalence was observed post-intervention.
Takeaway
The study found that giving children medicine to prevent malaria didn't make them more likely to get sick from malaria later on.
Methodology
The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial measuring malaria morbidity and prevalence in children who received IPTc versus placebos.
Limitations
The study only assessed the effects of IPTc after a single malaria transmission season, which may not reflect long-term impacts.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 3-59 months from two villages and a small town in Mali.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.08
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.99 – 1.21
Statistical Significance
p=0.08
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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