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Ndayishimiye JC, Teg-Nefaah Tabong P. Spatial distribution and determinants of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy: a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ghana malaria indicators survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:379. [PMID: 38769513 PMCID: PMC11103814 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal, foetal, and neonatal outcomes. To prevent malaria infection during pregnancy, the World Health Organization recommended the use of intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in addition to vector control strategies. Although Ghana's target is to ensure that all pregnant women receive at least three (optimal) doses of SP, the uptake of SP has remained low; between 2020 and 2022, only 60% of pregnant women received optimal SP during their most recent pregnancy. This study sought to map the geospatial distribution and identify factors associated with SP uptake during pregnancy in Ghana. METHODS Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey dataset. The data analysed were restricted to women aged 15-49 years who reported having a live birth within the two years preceding the survey. A modified Poisson regression model was used to determine factors associated with SP uptake during pregnancy. Geospatial analysis was employed to map the spatial distribution of optimal SP uptake across the ten regions of Ghana using R software. RESULTS The likelihood that pregnant women received optimal SP correlated with early initiation of first antenatal care (ANC), number of ANC contacts, woman's age, region of residence, and family size. Overall, the greater the number of ANC contacts, the more likely for pregnant women to receive optimal SP. Women with four or more ANC contacts were 2 times (aPR: 2.16; 95% CI: [1.34-3.25]) more likely to receive optimal SP than pregnant women with fewer than four ANC contacts. In addition, early initiation and a high number of ANC contacts were associated with a high number of times a pregnant woman received SP. Regarding spatial distribution, a high uptake of optimal SP was significantly observed in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, whereas the lowest was observed in the Eastern Region of Ghana. CONCLUSIONS In Ghana, there were regional disparities in the uptake of SP during pregnancy, with the uptake mainly correlated with the provision of ANC services. To achieve the country's target for malaria control during pregnancy, there is a need to strengthen intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy by prioritizing comprehensive ANC services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Claude Ndayishimiye
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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2
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Ebong CE, Ali IM, Fouedjio HJ, Essangui E, Achu DF, Lawrence A, Sama D. Diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy: accuracy of CareStart™ malaria Pf/PAN against light microscopy among symptomatic pregnant women at the Central Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Malar J 2022; 21:78. [PMID: 35264170 PMCID: PMC8905860 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The need to start treatment early for pregnant women who present with clinical features of malaria usually conflicts with the need to confirm diagnosis by microscopy (MP) before treatment, due to delays in obtaining results. Parasite sequestration in the placenta is also a problem. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), which detect soluble antigens, are a valuable alternative. The objective of this study was to evaluate pretreatment parasite prevalence by microscopy and by RDT and to assess the accuracy of RDT with MP as reference. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the obstetrical unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé, during the period January-August 2015. Consenting patients with symptoms of suspected malaria in pregnancy were recruited and a blood sample taken for MP and RDT before treatment was started. The estimates of diagnostic performance (with 95% confidence interval) were calculated in OpenEpi online software using the Wilson’s score. The agreement, as reflected by the Cohen’s kappa, was calculated and interpreted using known intervals. Results The results showed that, out of the 104 patients recruited, 69.2% (95%CI: 59.1–77.5) were MP positive while 77.94% (95%CI: 63.1–80.9) were RDT positive. The sensitivity of the malaria RDT was 91.67% (95%CI: 83.69–96.77) while the specificity was 53.13% (95%CI: 31.39–65.57). The diagnostic accuracy of the RDT with MP as reference was 79.81% (95%CI: 70.0–86.1). All cases were due to Plasmodium falciparum. A Cohen’s kappa of 0.45 (95%CI: 0.26–0.64) was obtained, consistent with a moderate agreement between the tests. Conclusions The diagnostic accuracy of the CareStart™ malaria Pf/PAN compared to microscopy was high, but not as desirable, with a false negative RDT at very high parasitaemia. In tertiary facilities, RDTs appear to provide a better diagnostic solution compared to microscopy. However, future studies with larger sample sizes should make this observation more generalizable; as missing a case could have serious consequences on pregnancy outcome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04109-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliford Ebontane Ebong
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Innocent Mbulli Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Hortence Jeanne Fouedjio
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Dorothy Fosah Achu
- Ministry of Public Health, National Malaria Control Programme, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Ayong Lawrence
- Malaria Unit, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Dohbit Sama
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Gyneco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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Odhiambo JN, Kalinda C, Macharia PM, Snow RW, Sartorius B. Spatial and spatio-temporal methods for mapping malaria risk: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-002919. [PMID: 33023880 PMCID: PMC7537142 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approaches in malaria risk mapping continue to advance in scope with the advent of geostatistical techniques spanning both the spatial and temporal domains. A substantive review of the merits of the methods and covariates used to map malaria risk has not been undertaken. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically retrieve, summarise methods and examine covariates that have been used for mapping malaria risk in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods A systematic search of malaria risk mapping studies was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search was restricted to refereed studies published in English from January 1968 to April 2020. To ensure completeness, a manual search through the reference lists of selected studies was also undertaken. Two independent reviewers completed each of the review phases namely: identification of relevant studies based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, data extraction and methodological quality assessment using a validated scoring criterion. Results One hundred and seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The median quality score across studies was 12/16 (range: 7–16). Approximately half (44%) of the studies employed variable selection techniques prior to mapping with rainfall and temperature selected in over 50% of the studies. Malaria incidence (47%) and prevalence (35%) were the most commonly mapped outcomes, with Bayesian geostatistical models often (31%) the preferred approach to risk mapping. Additionally, 29% of the studies employed various spatial clustering methods to explore the geographical variation of malaria patterns, with Kulldorf scan statistic being the most common. Model validation was specified in 53 (50%) studies, with partitioning data into training and validation sets being the common approach. Conclusions Our review highlights the methodological diversity prominent in malaria risk mapping across SSA. To ensure reproducibility and quality science, best practices and transparent approaches should be adopted when selecting the statistical framework and covariates for malaria risk mapping. Findings underscore the need to periodically assess methods and covariates used in malaria risk mapping; to accommodate changes in data availability, data quality and innovation in statistical methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chester Kalinda
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Peter M Macharia
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Robert W Snow
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benn Sartorius
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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4
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Hung YW, Hoxha K, Irwin BR, Law MR, Grépin KA. Using routine health information data for research in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:790. [PMID: 32843033 PMCID: PMC7446185 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Routine health information systems (RHISs) support resource allocation and management decisions at all levels of the health system, as well as strategy development and policy-making in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although RHIS data represent a rich source of information, such data are currently underused for research purposes, largely due to concerns over data quality. Given that substantial investments have been made in strengthening RHISs in LMICs in recent years, and that there is a growing demand for more real-time data from researchers, this systematic review builds upon the existing literature to summarize the extent to which RHIS data have been used in peer-reviewed research publications. METHODS Using terms 'routine health information system', 'health information system', or 'health management information system' and a list of LMICs, four electronic peer-review literature databases were searched from inception to February 202,019: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and EconLit. Articles were assessed for inclusion based on pre-determined eligibility criteria and study characteristics were extracted from included articles using a piloted data extraction form. RESULTS We identified 132 studies that met our inclusion criteria, originating in 37 different countries. Overall, the majority of the studies identified were from Sub-Saharan Africa and were published within the last 5 years. Malaria and maternal health were the most commonly studied health conditions, although a number of other health conditions and health services were also explored. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified an increasing use of RHIS data for research purposes, with many studies applying rigorous study designs and analytic methods to advance program evaluation, monitoring and assessing services, and epidemiological studies in LMICs. RHIS data represent an underused source of data and should be made more available and further embraced by the research community in LMIC health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen W Hung
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Klesta Hoxha
- University of Waterloo, School of Public Health and Health Systems, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Bridget R Irwin
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Michael R Law
- Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Karen A Grépin
- School of Public Health, Hong Kong University, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
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5
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Manda S, Haushona N, Bergquist R. A Scoping Review of Spatial Analysis Approaches Using Health Survey Data in Sub-Saharan Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E3070. [PMID: 32354095 PMCID: PMC7246597 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Spatial analysis has become an increasingly used analytic approach to describe and analyze spatial characteristics of disease burden, but the depth and coverage of its usage for health surveys data in Sub-Saharan Africa are not well known. The objective of this scoping review was to conduct an evaluation of studies using spatial statistics approaches for national health survey data in the SSA region. An organized literature search for studies related to spatial statistics and national health surveys was conducted through PMC, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, NLM Catalog, and Science Direct electronic databases. Of the 4,193 unique articles identified, 153 were included in the final review. Spatial smoothing and prediction methods were predominant (n = 108), followed by spatial description aggregation (n = 25), and spatial autocorrelation and clustering (n = 19). Bayesian statistics methods and lattice data modelling were predominant (n = 108). Most studies focused on malaria and fever (n = 47) followed by health services coverage (n = 38). Only fifteen studies employed nonstandard spatial analyses (e.g., spatial model assessment, joint spatial modelling, accounting for survey design). We recommend that for future spatial analysis using health survey data in the SSA region, there must be an improve recognition and awareness of the potential dangers of a naïve application of spatial statistical methods. We also recommend a wide range of applications using big health data and the future of data science for health systems to monitor and evaluate impacts that are not well understood at local levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Manda
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa
| | - Ndamonaonghenda Haushona
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
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6
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Chanda E, Arshad M, Khaloua A, Zhang W, Namboze J, Uusiku P, Angula AH, Gausi K, Tiruneh D, Islam QM, Kolivras K, Haque U. An investigation of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria epidemic in Kavango and Zambezi regions of Namibia in 2016. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2019; 112:546-554. [PMID: 30252108 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Namibia is one of the countries among the eight that are targeting malaria elimination in southern Africa. However, the country has encountered malaria epidemics in recent years. The objective of this study was to investigate malaria epidemics and to contribute to strengthening malaria surveillance and control in an effort to move Namibia toward eliminating malaria. Method Malaria epidemiology data for 2014-2015 were collected from the weekly surveillance system. All consenting household members within a 100-m radius of index households were screened in 2016 using a Carestart malaria HRP2/pLDH combined rapid diagnostic test after epidemics. All houses within this radius were sprayed in 2016 with the pyrethroid deltamethrin and K-Othrine WG 250. Anopheles mosquito-positive breeding sites were identified and treated with the organophosphate larvicide temephos. Insecticide susceptibility and bioassay tests were conducted. Results During the epidemic response period in 2016, 56 parasitologically confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in the Zambezi region were detected from active screening. The majority of those cases (83%) were asymptomatic infections. In the Kavango region, the malaria epidemic persisted, with 228 P. falciparum malaria cases recorded, but only 97 were investigated. In Namibia, malaria vector susceptibility was detected to 4% dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Indoor residual spraying was conducted in 377 (90%) of the targeted households along with community awareness through health education of 1499 people and distribution of more than 2000 information, education and communication materials. The P. falciparum malaria cases in the Zambezi decreased from 122 in week 9 to 97 after week 15. Conclusions Malaria epidemics along with the persistence of asymptomatic reservoir infections pose a serious challenge in Namibia's elimination effort. The country needs to ensure sustainable interventions to target asymptomatic reservoir infections and prevent epidemics in order to successfully achieve its goal of eliminating malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Chanda
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Cite du Djoue, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Mohd Arshad
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Asmaa Khaloua
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, 1155 Union Circle #311366 Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention of PLA, NO. 20 Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, PR China
| | - Josephine Namboze
- World Health Organization, Country Office, Geza Banda-Adi Yacob St 178, Asmara 291-1, Eritrea
| | - Pentrina Uusiku
- Ministry of Health and Social Services, National Vector-borne Diseases Control Programme, Florence Nightingale Street, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Andreas H Angula
- Ministry of Health and Social Services, National Vector-borne Diseases Control Programme, Florence Nightingale Street, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Khoti Gausi
- World Health Organization, East and Southern Africa Inter-country Support Team, Causeway Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Desta Tiruneh
- World Health Organization, Country Office, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Quazi M Islam
- World Health Organization, Country Office, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Korine Kolivras
- Department of Geography, Virginia Tech, 220 Stanger St, 115 Major Williams Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
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7
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Nawa M, Hangoma P, Morse AP, Michelo C. Investigating the upsurge of malaria prevalence in Zambia between 2010 and 2015: a decomposition of determinants. Malar J 2019; 18:61. [PMID: 30845998 PMCID: PMC6407176 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2698-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is among the top causes of mortality and morbidity in Zambia. Efforts to control, prevent, and eliminate it have been intensified in the past two decades which has contributed to reductions in malaria prevalence and under-five mortality. However, there was a 21% upsurge in malaria prevalence between 2010 and 2015. Zambia is one of the only 13 countries to record an increase in malaria among 91 countries monitored by the World Health Organization in 2015. This study investigated the upsurge by decomposition of drivers of malaria. Methods The study used secondary data from three waves of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys on key malaria indicators conducted in 2010, 2012 and 2015. Using multivariable logistic regression, determinants of malaria prevalence were identified and then marginal effects of each determinant were derived. The marginal effects were then combined with changes in coverage rates of determinants between 2010 and 2015 to obtain the magnitude of how much each variable contributed to the change in the malaria prevalence. Results The odds ratio of malaria for those who slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) was 0.90 (95% CI 0.77–0.97), indoor residual spraying (IRS) was 0.66 (95% CI 0.49–0.89), urban residence was 0.23 (95% CI 0.15–0.37), standard house was 0.40 (95% CI 0.35–0.71) and age group 12–59 Months against those below 12 months was 4.04 (95% CI 2.80–5.81). Decomposition of prevalence changes by determinants showed that IRS reduced malaria prevalence by − 0.3% and ITNs by − 0.2% however, these reductions were overridden by increases in prevalence due to increases in the proportion of more at-risk children aged 12–59 months by + 2.3% and rural residents by + 2.2%. Conclusion The increases in interventions, such as ITNs and IRS, were shown to have contributed to malaria reduction in 2015; however, changes in demographics such as increases in the proportion of more at risk groups among under-five children and rural residents may have overridden the impact of these interventions and resulted in an overall increase. The upsurge in malaria in 2015 compared to 2010 may not have been due to weaknesses in programme interventions but due to increases in more at-risk children and rural residents compared to 2010. The apparent increase in rural residents in the sample population may not have been a true reflection of the population structure but due to oversampling in rural areas which was not fully adjusted for. The increase in malaria prevalence may therefore have been overestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukumbuta Nawa
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Peter Hangoma
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Andrew P Morse
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Charles Michelo
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia
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8
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Pell C, Tripura R, Nguon C, Cheah P, Davoeung C, Heng C, Dara L, Sareth M, Dondorp A, von Seidlein L, Peto TJ. Mass anti-malarial administration in western Cambodia: a qualitative study of factors affecting coverage. Malar J 2017; 16:206. [PMID: 28526019 PMCID: PMC5438518 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1854-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass anti-malarial administration has been proposed as a key component of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria elimination strategy in the Greater Mekong sub-Region. Its effectiveness depends on high levels of coverage in the target population. This article explores the factors that influenced mass anti-malarial administration coverage within a clinical trial in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. METHODS Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with villagers, in-depth interviews with study staff, trial drop-outs and refusers, and observations in the communities. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated from Khmer to English for qualitative content analysis using QSR NVivo. RESULTS Malaria was an important health concern and villagers reported a demand for malaria treatment. This was in spite of a fall in incidence over the previous decade and a lack of familiarity with asymptomatic malaria. Participants generally understood the overall study aim and were familiar with study activities. Comprehension of the study rationale was however limited. After the first mass anti-malarial administration, seasonal health complaints that participants attributed to the anti-malarial as "side effects" contributed to a decrease of coverage in round two. Staff therefore adapted the community engagement approach, bringing to prominence local leaders in village meetings. This contributed to a subsequent increase in coverage. CONCLUSION Future mass anti-malarial administration must consider seasonal disease patterns and the importance of local leaders taking prominent roles in community engagement. Further research is needed to investigate coverage in scenarios that more closely resemble implementation i.e. without participation incentives, blood sampling and free healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Pell
- Centre for Social Science and Global Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rupam Tripura
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chea Nguon
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Phaikyeong Cheah
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chan Davoeung
- Battambang Provincial Health Department, Krong Battambang, Cambodia
| | - Chhouen Heng
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lim Dara
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ma Sareth
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arjen Dondorp
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lorenz von Seidlein
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas J. Peto
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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9
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Chihanga S, Haque U, Chanda E, Mosweunyane T, Moakofhi K, Jibril HB, Motlaleng M, Zhang W, Glass GE. Malaria elimination in Botswana, 2012-2014: achievements and challenges. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:99. [PMID: 26911433 PMCID: PMC4765051 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1382-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Botswana significantly reduced its malaria burden between 2000 and 2012. Incidence dropped from 0.99 to 0.01 % and deaths attributed to malaria declined from 12 to 3. The country initiated elimination strategies in October 2012. We examine the progress and challenges during implementation and identify future needs for a successful program in Botswana. Methods A national, rapid notification and response strategy was developed. Cases detected through the routine passive surveillance system at health facilities were intended to initiate screening of contacts around a positive case during follow up. Positive cases were reported to district health management teams to activate district rapid response teams (DRRT). The health facility and the DRRT were to investigate the cases, and screen household members within 100 m of case households within 48 h of notification using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and microscopy. Positive malaria cases detected in health facilities were used for spatial analysis. Results There were 1808 malaria cases recorded in Botswana during 26 months from October, 2012 to December, 2014. Males were more frequently infected (59 %) than females. Most cases (60 %) were reported from Okavango district which experienced an outbreak in 2013 and 2014. Among the factors creating challenges for malaria eradication, only 1148 cases (63.5 %) were captured by the required standardized notification forms. In total, 1080 notified cases were diagnosed by RDT. Of the positive malaria cases, only 227 (12.6 %) were monitored at the household level. One hundred (8.7 %) cases were associated with national or transnational movement of patients. Local movements of infected individuals within Botswana accounted for 31 cases while 69 (6.01 %) cases were imported from other countries. Screening individuals in and around index households identified 37 additional, asymptomatic infections. Oscillating, sporadic and new malaria hot-spots were detected in Botswana during the study period. Conclusion Botswana’s experience shows some of the practical challenges of elimination efforts. Among them are the substantial movements of human infections within and among countries, and the persistence of asymptomatic reservoir infections. Programmatically, challenges include improving the speed of communicating and improving the thoroughness when responding to newly identified cases. The country needs further sustainable interventions to target infections if it is to successfully achieve its elimination goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Chihanga
- National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana.
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. .,Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
| | - Emmanuel Chanda
- Vector Control Specialist/Consultant, 11 Granite Street, Plot 33421/917 Kamwa South, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | | | | | | | - Mpho Motlaleng
- National Malaria Programme, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana.
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gregory E Glass
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. .,Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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10
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Chaponda EB, Chandramohan D, Michelo C, Mharakurwa S, Chipeta J, Chico RM. High burden of malaria infection in pregnant women in a rural district of Zambia: a cross-sectional study. Malar J 2015; 14:380. [PMID: 26423819 PMCID: PMC4590700 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0866-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria continues to be a major health problem in low-income countries. Consequently, malaria control remains a public health priority in endemic countries such as Zambia. Pregnant women and children under 5 years of age are among groups at high risk of malaria infection. Malaria infection is associated with adverse birth outcomes that affect the mother, foetus, and infant. Infection with HIV has been shown to increase the risk of malaria infection in pregnancy. The prevalence and the predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women resident in the Nchelenge District of northern Zambia were investigated. METHODS Between November 2013 and April 2014, pregnant women in the catchment areas of two health centres were recruited during their first antenatal care visit. HIV testing was conducted as part of routine care. In addition, blood samples were collected from 1086 participants and tested for malaria infection using standard microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques specific for Plasmodium falciparum. Multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine the predictors of malaria infection. RESULTS The prevalence of malaria identified by microscopy was 31.8 % (95 % confidence intervals [CI], 29.0-34.5; N = 1079) and by PCR was 57.8 % (95 % CI, 54.9-60.8; N = 1074). HIV infection was 13.2 % among women on their first antenatal visit; the prevalence of malaria detected by PCR among HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected women was 56.7 % (531/936) and 65.2 % (90/138), respectively. In the final model, the risk of malaria infection was 81 % higher among pregnant women recruited from Nchelenge health centre compared to those attending the Kashikishi health centre (adjusted odds ratio = 1.81; 95 % CI, 1.38-2.37, P < 0.001), and HIV-infected women across health centres had a 46 % greater risk of malaria infection compared to HIV-uninfected women (adjusted odds ratio = 1.46; 95 %, 1.00-2.13, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION High burden of malaria detected by PCR in these pregnant women suggests that past prevention efforts have had limited effect. To reduce this burden of malaria sustainably, there is clear need to strengthen existing interventions and, possibly, to change approaches so as to improve targeting of groups most affected by malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enesia Banda Chaponda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. .,Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Daniel Chandramohan
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Charles Michelo
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Sungano Mharakurwa
- Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. .,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
| | - James Chipeta
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zambia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - R Matthew Chico
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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