Impact of Intermittent Preventive Treatment against Malaria in Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Ross Amanda, Penny Melissa, Maire Nicolas, Studer Alain, Carneiro Ilona, Schellenberg David, Greenwood Brian, Tanner Marcel, Smith Thomas
Primary Institution: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland
Hypothesis
What is the impact of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTi) against malaria in infants across different epidemiological settings?
Conclusion
IPTi is predicted to have a beneficial impact on reducing malaria episodes and mortality in infants across various settings.
Supporting Evidence
- IPTi trials have shown variable protective efficacy against clinical malaria episodes.
- Predictions suggest IPTi would avert more episodes with higher coverage and lower treatment coverage.
- The model reproduced trial results reasonably well, indicating known features of malaria epidemiology can explain variability.
Takeaway
Giving malaria medicine to babies at certain times can help keep them from getting sick, even if they don't have malaria at the time.
Methodology
A comprehensive, individual-based, stochastic model of malaria epidemiology was used to simulate trials of IPTi with site-specific characteristics.
Limitations
The model predictions may not be reliable for low transmission intensities and do not account for certain observed effects such as density-dependent cure rates.
Participant Demographics
Infants aged 0 to 12 months in various geographical settings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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