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Collins KA, Ouedraogo A, Guelbeogo WM, Soulama I, Ouattara MS, Sombie S, Ouedraogo N, Coulibaly AS, Nombre A, Lanke K, Ramjith J, Awandu SS, Serme SS, Henry N, Stone W, Ouedraogo IN, Diarra A, Holden TM, Sirima SB, Bradley J, Soremekun S, Selvaraj P, Gerardin J, Drakeley C, Bousema T, Tiono AB. Effect of weekly fever-screening and treatment and monthly RDT testing and treatment on the infectious reservoir of malaria parasites in Burkina Faso: a cluster-randomised trial. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024:100891. [PMID: 39068937 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00114-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of Plasmodium spp infections in endemic countries are asymptomatic and a source of onward transmission to mosquitoes. We aimed to examine whether Plasmodium falciparum transmission and malaria burden could be reduced by improving early detection and treatment of infections with active screening approaches. METHODS In this 18-month cluster randomised study in Sapone, Burkina Faso, households were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three groups: group 1 (control) received standard of care only, group 2 received active weekly, at home, fever screening by a community health worker regardless of symptoms, participants with a fever received a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treatment if RDT positive, and group 3 received active weekly fever screening (as in group 2) plus a monthly RDT regardless of symptoms, and treatment if RDT positive. Eligible households had a minimum of three eligible residents, one in each age group (<5 years, 5-15 years, and >15 years). The primary outcome was parasite prevalence by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the end-of-study cross-sectional survey. Secondary outcomes included parasite and gametocyte prevalence and density in all three end-of-season cross-sectional surveys, incidence of infection, and the transmissibility of infections to mosquitoes. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03705624) and is completed. FINDINGS A total of 906 individuals from 181 households were enrolled during two phases, and participated in the study. 412 individuals were enrolled between Aug 9 and 17, 2018, and participated in phase 1 and 494 individuals were enrolled between Jan 10 and 31, 2019, in phase 2. In the end-of-study cross-sectional survey (conducted between Jan 13 and 21, 2020), Pfalciparum prevalence by qPCR was significantly lower in group 3 (29·26%; 79 of 270), but not in group 2 (45·66%; 121 of 265), when compared with group 1 (48·72%; 133 of 273; risk ratio 0·65 [95% CI 0·52-0·81]; p=0·0001). Total parasite and gametocyte prevalence and density were also significantly lower in group 3 in all surveys. The largest differences were seen at the end of the dry season, with gametocyte prevalence 78·4% and predicted transmission potential 98·2% lower in group 3 than in group 1. INTERPRETATION Active monthly RDT testing and treatment can reduce parasite carriage and the infectious reservoir of P falciparum to less than 2% when used during the dry season. This insight might inform approaches for malaria control and elimination. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, European Research Council, and The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A Collins
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alphonse Ouedraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Issiaka Soulama
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Maurice S Ouattara
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Salif Sombie
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Nicolas Ouedraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Aboubacar S Coulibaly
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Apollinaire Nombre
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jordache Ramjith
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Shehu S Awandu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Samuel S Serme
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Noelie Henry
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Will Stone
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Issa N Ouedraogo
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Amidou Diarra
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Tobias M Holden
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute for Global Health, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - John Bradley
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Seyi Soremekun
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Jaline Gerardin
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Institute for Global Health, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Institute for Disease Modeling, Bellevue, WA, USA
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Alfred B Tiono
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Bakai TA, Gense M, Vanhems P, Iwaz J, Thomas A, Atcha-Oubou T, Tchadjobo T, Voirin N, Khanafer N. Proactive home-based malaria management in rural communities of Bassar Health District in northern Togo from 2014 to 2017: PECADOM + , a pilot experiment. Malar J 2024; 23:203. [PMID: 38972992 PMCID: PMC11229231 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04988-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Togo's National Malaria Control Programme has initiated an active home-based malaria management model for all age groups in rural areas of Bassar Health District. This report describes the model, reports its main results, and determines the factors associated with positive rapid diagnostic test results. METHODS From 2014 to 2017, in three peripheral care units of Bassar Health District (Binaparba, Nangbani, and Baghan), community health workers visited residents' homes weekly to identify patients with malaria symptoms, perform rapid diagnostic tests in symptomatic patients, and give medication to positive cases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with positive tests. RESULTS The study covered 11,337 people (817 in 2014, 1804 in 2015, 2638 in 2016, and 6078 in 2017). The overall mean age was 18 years (95% CI 5-29; min-max: 0-112 years). The median age was 10 years (SD: 16.9). The proportions of people tested positive were 75.3% in Binaparba, 77.4% in Nangbani, and 56.6% in Baghan. The 5-10 age group was the most affected category (24.2% positive tests). Positive tests were more frequent during the rainy than during the dry season (62 vs. 38%) and the probability of positive test was 1.76 times higher during the rainy than during the dry season (adjusted OR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.60-1.90). A fever (37.5 °C or higher) increased significantly the probability of positive test (adjusted OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.89-2.54). The risk of positive test was 1.89 times higher in passive than in active malaria detection (adjusted OR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.73-2.0). CONCLUSIONS This novel experimental community and home-based malaria management in Togo suggested that active detection of malaria cases is feasible within 24 h, which allows rapid treatments before progression to often-fatal complications. This PECADOM + program will help Togo's National Malaria Control Programme reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tchaa A Bakai
- Epidemiology and Modelling in Infectious Diseases (EPIMOD), 01240, Lent, France.
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme (PNLP), 01 BP 518, Lomé, Togo.
| | - Maë Gense
- Équipe Santé Publique, Épidémiologie et Écologie Évolutive des Maladies Infectieuses (PHE3ID), Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1111), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR 5308), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Vanhems
- Équipe Santé Publique, Épidémiologie et Écologie Évolutive des Maladies Infectieuses (PHE3ID), Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1111), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR 5308), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Service d'Hygiène, Épidémiologie et Prévention, Hôpital Édouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69003, Lyon, France
| | | | - Anne Thomas
- Epidemiology and Modelling in Infectious Diseases (EPIMOD), 01240, Lent, France
| | - Tinah Atcha-Oubou
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme (PNLP), 01 BP 518, Lomé, Togo
| | - Tchassama Tchadjobo
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme (PNLP), 01 BP 518, Lomé, Togo
| | - Nicolas Voirin
- Epidemiology and Modelling in Infectious Diseases (EPIMOD), 01240, Lent, France
| | - Nagham Khanafer
- Équipe Santé Publique, Épidémiologie et Écologie Évolutive des Maladies Infectieuses (PHE3ID), Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1111), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR 5308), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
- Service d'Hygiène, Épidémiologie et Prévention, Hôpital Édouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69003, Lyon, France.
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Garchitorena A, Harimanana A, Irinantenaina J, Razanadranaivo HL, Rasoanaivo TF, Sayre D, Gutman JR, Mangahasimbola RT, Ravaoarimanga M, Raobela O, Razafimaharo LY, Ralemary N, Andrianasolomanana M, Pontarollo J, Mukerabirori A, Ochieng W, Dentinger CM, Kapesa L, Steinhardt LC. Expanding community case management of malaria to all ages can improve universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment: results from a cluster randomized trial in Madagascar. BMC Med 2024; 22:231. [PMID: 38853263 PMCID: PMC11163690 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03441-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global progress on malaria control has stalled recently, partly due to challenges in universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. Community health workers (CHWs) can play a key role in improving access to malaria care for children under 5 years (CU5), but national policies rarely permit them to treat older individuals. We conducted a two-arm cluster randomized trial in rural Madagascar to assess the impact of expanding malaria community case management (mCCM) to all ages on health care access and use. METHODS Thirty health centers and their associated CHWs in Farafangana District were randomized 1:1 to mCCM for all ages (intervention) or mCCM for CU5 only (control). Both arms were supported with CHW trainings on malaria case management, community sensitization on free malaria care, monthly supervision of CHWs, and reinforcement of the malaria supply chain. Cross-sectional household surveys in approximately 1600 households were conducted at baseline (Nov-Dec 2019) and endline (Nov-Dec 2021). Monthly data were collected from health center and CHW registers for 36 months (2019-2021). Intervention impact was assessed via difference-in-differences analyses for survey data and interrupted time-series analyses for health system data. RESULTS Rates of care-seeking for fever and malaria diagnosis nearly tripled in both arms (from less than 25% to over 60%), driven mostly by increases in CHW care. Age-expanded mCCM yielded additional improvements for individuals over 5 years in the intervention arm (rate ratio for RDTs done in 6-13-year-olds, RRRDT6-13 years = 1.65; 95% CIs 1.45-1.87), but increases were significant only in health system data analyses. Age-expanded mCCM was associated with larger increases for populations living further from health centers (RRRDT6-13 years = 1.21 per km; 95% CIs 1.19-1.23). CONCLUSIONS Expanding mCCM to all ages can improve universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. In addition, strengthening supply chain systems can achieve significant improvements even in the absence of age-expanded mCCM. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered at the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (#PACTR202001907367187).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Garchitorena
- UMR MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | - Aina Harimanana
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Judickaelle Irinantenaina
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Hobisoa Léa Razanadranaivo
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Tsinjo Fehizoro Rasoanaivo
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Dean Sayre
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julie R Gutman
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Masiarivony Ravaoarimanga
- Unité d'épidémiologie et de recherche clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Oméga Raobela
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé Publique de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Lala Yvette Razafimaharo
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé Publique de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Nicolas Ralemary
- Direction Régionale de la Santé, Ministère de la Santé Publique, Farafangana, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | - Walter Ochieng
- Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Catherine M Dentinger
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Laurent Kapesa
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, USAID, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Laura C Steinhardt
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Ebbs D, Taricia M, Funaro MC, O’Daniel M, Cappello M. Prehospital use of point-of-care tests by community health workers: a scoping review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1360322. [PMID: 38721545 PMCID: PMC11076783 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Point-of-Care Tests (POCTs) are utilized daily in resource abundant regions, however, are limited in the global south, particularly in the prehospital setting. Few studies exist on the use of non-malarial POCTs by Community Health Workers (CHWs). The purpose of this scoping review is to delineate the current diversity in and breadth of POCTs evaluated in the prehospital setting. Methods A medical subject heading (MeSH) analysis of known key articles was done by an experienced medical librarian and scoping searches were performed in each database to capture "point of care testing" and "community health workers." This review was guided by the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews. Results 2735 publications were returned, 185 were nominated for full-text review, and 110 studies were confirmed to meet study criteria. Majority focused on malaria (74/110; 67%) or HIV (25/110; 23%); 9/110 (8%) described other tests administered. Results from this review demonstrate a broad geographic range with significant heterogeneity in terminology for local CHWs. Conclusion The use of new POCTs is on the rise and may improve early risk stratification in limited resource settings. Current evidence from decades of malaria POCTs can guide future implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ebbs
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Max Taricia
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Melissa C. Funaro
- Department of Medicine, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maggie O’Daniel
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Michael Cappello
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
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Kua KP, Lee SWH, Chongmelaxme B. The impact of home-based management of malaria on clinical outcomes in sub-Saharan African populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Trop Med Health 2024; 52:7. [PMID: 38191459 PMCID: PMC10773121 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00572-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally and continues to disproportionately afflict the African population. We aimed to evaluate the effect of home management of malaria intervention on health outcomes. METHODS In our systematic review and meta-analysis, six databases (Pubmed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, CAB Abstracts and Global Health, CINAHL Complete, and BIOSIS) were searched for studies of home management of malaria from inception until November 15, 2023. We included before-after studies, observational studies, and randomised controlled trials of home management intervention delivered in community settings. The primary outcomes were malaria mortality and all-cause mortality. The risk of bias in individual observational studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool, whilst randomised controlled trials were judged using a revised Cochrane risk of bias tool and cluster-randomised controlled trials were evaluated using an adapted Cochrane risk of bias tool for cluster-randomised trials. We computed risk ratios with accompanying 95% confidence intervals for health-related outcomes reported in the studies and subsequently pooled the results by using a random-effects model (DerSimonian-Laird method). RESULTS We identified 1203 citations through database and hand searches, from which 56 articles from 47 studies encompassing 234,002 participants were included in the systematic review. All studies were conducted in people living in sub-Saharan Africa and were rated to have a low or moderate risk of bias. Pooled analyses showed that mortality rates due to malaria (RR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.29-0.54, P = 0.00001, I2 = 0%) and all-cause mortality rates (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.53-0.72, P = 0.00001, I2 = 0%) were significantly lower among participants receiving home management intervention compared to the control group. However, in children under 5 years of age, there was no significant difference in mortality rates before and after implementation of home management of malaria. In terms of secondary outcomes, home management of malaria was associated with a reduction in the risk of febrile episodes (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.09-1.47, P = 0.002, I2 = 97%) and higher effective rates of antimalarial treatments (RR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.90-3.88, P < 0.00001, I2 = 96%) compared to standard care. Home malaria management combined with intermittent preventive treatment showed a significantly lower incidence risk of malaria than home management intervention that exclusively provided treatment to individuals with febrile illness suggestive of malaria. The risks for adverse events were found to be similar for home management intervention using different antimalarial drugs. Cost-effectiveness findings depicted that home malaria management merited special preferential scale-up. CONCLUSIONS Home management of malaria intervention was associated with significant reductions in malaria mortality and all-cause mortality. The intervention could help decrease health and economic burden attributable to malaria. Further clinical studies are warranted to enable more meaningful interpretations with regard to wide-scale implementation of the intervention, settings of differing transmission intensity, and new antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok Pim Kua
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- MIT Alumni Association, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139-4822, USA
- Pharmacy Unit, Puchong Health Clinic, Petaling District Health Office, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 47100, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
- A.S. Watson Group, Watson's Personal Care Stores, 55188, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shaun Wen Huey Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Asian Center for Evidence Synthesis in Population, Implementation, and Clinical Outcomes (PICO), Health and Well-Being Cluster, Global Asia in the 21st Century (GA21) Platform, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Gerontechnology Laboratory, Global Asia in the 21st Century (GA21) Platform, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, 47500, Lakeside CampusSelangor, Malaysia
- Center for Global Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Bunchai Chongmelaxme
- Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Chi NN, Nyasa RB, Jane-Francis A. Knowledge, attitude and practices of community health workers on managing and preventing childhood malaria and diarrhea in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon; A mixed method study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001093. [PMID: 36962984 PMCID: PMC10021294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, childhood malaria and diarrhea are among the 5 leading causes of death among children under five years; the use of community health workers (CHWs) to manage these diseases has shown some degree of success. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of CHWs on the management and prevention of childhood malaria and diarrhea in Fako Division, South-West Region, Cameroon. A pretested questionnaire was administered to eighty CHWs in Fako Division. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 29 CHWs. The Chi-Square and Spearman Correlation tests were used to investigate the association between socio-demographic characteristics with CHWs' KAP on childhood malaria and diarrhea management and prevention. A total of 52.5% of the participants had good knowledge, negative attitudes (65.0%), and carried out poor practices (60.0%) on the management and prevention of childhood malaria. Up to 8.75% CHWs did not know the first-line antimalarial drug used in Cameroon. More than half (57.5%) of participants had poor knowledge, 70.0% had a negative attitude and 82.25% carried out good practices on the management and prevention of childhood diarrhea. 47.6% of CHWs used a mixture of guava leaves and 'masepo' (Ocimum gratissimum) as treatment for childhood diarrhea. Level of education (p = 0.028) and Health District (p = 0.026) were significantly associated with practices on management and prevention of childhood diarrhea. CHWs had inadequate knowledge, poor attitude, and practices on childhood malaria management. Even though a majority of CHWs carried out good practices for diarrhea management, their knowledge and attitude were poor. Therefore, there is a need for training to improve CHWs' knowledge, attitude and practices on childhood malaria and diarrhea management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndum Naomi Chi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Raymond Babila Nyasa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
| | - Akoachere Jane-Francis
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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Ratovoson R, Garchitorena A, Kassie D, Ravelonarivo JA, Andrianaranjaka V, Razanatsiorimalala S, Razafimandimby A, Rakotomanana F, Ohlstein L, Mangahasimbola R, Randrianirisoa SAN, Razafindrakoto J, Dentinger CM, Williamson J, Kapesa L, Piola P, Randrianarivelojosia M, Thwing J, Steinhardt LC, Baril L. Proactive community case management decreased malaria prevalence in rural Madagascar: results from a cluster randomized trial. BMC Med 2022; 20:322. [PMID: 36192774 PMCID: PMC9531497 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02530-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with progress in malaria control stalling in recent years. Proactive community case management (pro-CCM) has been shown to increase access to diagnosis and treatment and reduce malaria burden. However, lack of experimental evidence may hinder the wider adoption of this intervention. We conducted a cluster randomized community intervention trial to assess the efficacy of pro-CCM at decreasing malaria prevalence in rural endemic areas of Madagascar. METHODS Twenty-two fokontany (smallest administrative unit) of the Mananjary district in southeast Madagascar were selected and randomized 1:1 to pro-CCM (intervention) or conventional integrated community case management (iCCM). Residents of all ages in the intervention arm were visited by a community health worker every 2 weeks from March to October 2017 and screened for fever; those with fever were tested by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treated if positive. Malaria prevalence was assessed using RDTs on all consenting study area residents prior to and following the intervention. Hemoglobin was measured among women of reproductive age. Intervention impact was assessed via difference-in-differences analyses using logistic regressions in generalized estimating equations. RESULTS A total of 27,087 and 20,475 individuals participated at baseline and endline, respectively. Malaria prevalence decreased from 8.0 to 5.4% in the intervention arm for individuals of all ages and from 6.8 to 5.7% in the control arm. Pro-CCM was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of malaria positivity in children less than 15 years (OR = 0.59; 95% CI [0.38-0.91]), but not in older age groups. There was no impact on anemia among women of reproductive age. CONCLUSION This trial suggests that pro-CCM approaches could help reduce malaria burden in rural endemic areas of low- and middle-income countries, but their impact may be limited to younger age groups with the highest malaria burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05223933. Registered on February 4, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rila Ratovoson
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
| | - Andres Garchitorena
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Daouda Kassie
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Centre de Coopération International en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier, France
| | - Jemima A Ravelonarivo
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Present address: Humanity & inclusion, Toliara, Madagascar
| | - Voahangy Andrianaranjaka
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Present address: Mention Biochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée, Domaine Sciences et Technologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Avotra Razafimandimby
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Fanjasoa Rakotomanana
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Reziky Mangahasimbola
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | - Catherine M Dentinger
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Malaria Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.,U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - John Williamson
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Malaria Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laurent Kapesa
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, USAID, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Patrice Piola
- Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia
- Malaria Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, Université de Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar
| | - Julie Thwing
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Malaria Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laura C Steinhardt
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, Malaria Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laurence Baril
- Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends parasitological testing of all suspected malaria cases using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) or microscopy prior to treatment. Some governments have extended this responsibility to community health workers (CHWs) to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality through prompt and appropriate treatment. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2013. OBJECTIVES To evaluate community-based management strategies for treating malaria or fever that incorporate both a definitive diagnosis with an mRDT and appropriate antimalarial treatment. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, five other databases, and three trials registers up to 14 September 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA We included individually randomized trials and cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), controlled before-after studies, and controlled interrupted time series studies in people living in malaria-endemic areas, comparing programmes that train CHWs and drug shop vendors to perform mRDTs and provide appropriate treatment versus similar programmes that do not use mRDTs, and versus routine health facility care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. For each dichotomous outcome, we extracted the number of participants with the event and the total number of participants in each group, unless studies presented results at a population level only. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, and number of people receiving an antimalarial within 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were malaria-specific mortality, severe malaria, outcomes related to antimalarial treatments, antibiotic prescribing to people with a negative microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result, parasitaemia, anaemia, and all adverse events. MAIN RESULTS We included eight studies from several African countries, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Staff included CHWs and drug shop vendors. Community use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests compared to clinical diagnosis Compared to clinical diagnosis, mRDT diagnosis results in reduced prescribing of antimalarials to people who are found to be malaria parasite-negative by microscopy or PCR testing (71 fewer per 100 people, 95% confidence interval (CI) 79 to 51 fewer; risk ratio (RR) 0.17, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.40; 3 cRCTs, 7877 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). This reduction may be greater among CHWs compared to drug shop vendors. People diagnosed by mRDT are more likely to receive appropriate treatment; that is, an antimalarial if they are microscopy- or PCR-positive and no antimalarial if they are microscopy- or PCR-negative (RR 3.04, 95% CI 2.46 to 3.74, 3 cRCTs, 9332 participants; high-certainty evidence). Three studies found that a small percentage of people with a negative mRDT result (as read by the CHW or drug shop vendors at the time of treatment) were nevertheless given an antimalarial: 38/1368 (2.8%), 44/724 (6.1%) and 124/950 (13.1%). Conversely, in two studies, a few mRDT-positive people did not receive an antimalarial (0.5% and 0.3%), and one small cross-over study found that 6/57 (10.5%) people classified as non-malaria in the clinical diagnosis arm received an antimalarial. Use of mRDTs probably increases antibiotic use compared to clinical diagnosis (13 more per 100 people, 95% CI 3 to 29 more; RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.37; 2 cRCTs, 5179 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We were unable to demonstrate any effect on mortality. Community use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests compared to health facility care Results were insufficient to reach any conclusion. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Use of mRDTs by CHWs and drug shop vendors compared to clinical diagnosis reduces prescribing of antimalarials to people without malaria. Deaths were uncommon in both groups. Antibiotic prescribing was higher in those with a negative mRDT than in those with a negative clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth N Allen
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison Beriliy Wiyeh
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael McCaul
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Emerson C, Meline J, Linn A, Wallace J, Kapella BK, Venkatesan M, Steketee R. End Malaria Faster: Taking Lifesaving Tools Beyond “Access” to “Reach” All People in Need. GLOBAL HEALTH: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022; 10:GHSP-D-22-00118. [PMID: 35487558 PMCID: PMC9053156 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-22-00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To “reach the unreached” with preventive and curative malaria services, we must know which individuals and communities remain unreached and then bring tailored services from the clinic to the community and home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Emerson
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jed Meline
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne Linn
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julie Wallace
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bryan K Kapella
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Meera Venkatesan
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Richard Steketee
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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10
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Muhoza P, Tine R, Faye A, Gaye I, Zeger SL, Diaw A, Gueye AB, Kante AM, Ruff A, Marx MA. A data quality assessment of the first four years of malaria reporting in the Senegal DHIS2, 2014-2017. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:18. [PMID: 34974837 PMCID: PMC8722300 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As the global burden of malaria decreases, routine health information systems (RHIS) have become invaluable for monitoring progress towards elimination. The District Health Information System, version 2 (DHIS2) has been widely adopted across countries and is expected to increase the quality of reporting of RHIS. In this study, we evaluated the quality of reporting of key indicators of childhood malaria from January 2014 through December 2017, the first 4 years of DHIS2 implementation in Senegal. Methods Monthly data on the number of confirmed and suspected malaria cases as well as tests done were extracted from the Senegal DHIS2. Reporting completeness was measured as the number of monthly reports received divided by the expected number of reports in a given year. Completeness of indicator data was measured as the percentage of non-missing indicator values. We used a quasi-Poisson model with natural cubic spline terms of month of reporting to impute values missing at the facility level. We used the imputed values to take into account the percentage of malaria cases that were missed due to lack of reporting. Consistency was measured as the absence of moderate and extreme outliers, internal consistency between related indicators, and consistency of indicators over time. Results In contrast to public facilities of which 92.7% reported data in the DHIS2 system during the study period, only 15.3% of the private facilities used the reporting system. At the national level, completeness of facility reporting increased from 84.5% in 2014 to 97.5% in 2017. The percentage of expected malaria cases reported increased from 76.5% in 2014 to 94.7% in 2017. Over the study period, the percentage of malaria cases reported across all districts was on average 7.5% higher (P < 0.01) during the rainy season relative to the dry season. Reporting completeness rates were lower among hospitals compared to health centers and health posts. The incidence of moderate and extreme outlier values was 5.2 and 2.3%, respectively. The number of confirmed malaria cases increased by 15% whereas the numbers of suspected cases and tests conducted more than doubled from 2014 to 2017 likely due to a policy shift towards universal testing of pediatric febrile cases. Conclusions The quality of reporting for malaria indicators in the Senegal DHIS2 has improved over time and the data are suitable for use to monitor progress in malaria programs, with an understanding of their limitations. Senegalese health authorities should maintain the focus on broader adoption of DHIS2 reporting by private facilities, the sustainability of district-level data quality reviews, facility-level supervision and feedback mechanisms at all levels of the health system. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-07364-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Muhoza
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Roger Tine
- Département de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odontologie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Adama Faye
- Institut de Santé et Développement, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ibrahima Gaye
- Institut de Santé et Développement, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Scott L Zeger
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abdoulaye Diaw
- Direction de la Planification, de la Recherche et des Statistiques/ Division du Système d'Information Sanitaire et Sociale, Ministère de la Santé et de l'Action Sociale (MSAS), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alioune Badara Gueye
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé et de l'Action Sociale (MSAS), Dakar, Senegal
| | - Almamy Malick Kante
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrea Ruff
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Melissa A Marx
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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11
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Perry HB, Chowdhury M, Were M, LeBan K, Crigler L, Lewin S, Musoke D, Kok M, Scott K, Ballard M, Hodgins S. Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 11. CHWs leading the way to "Health for All". Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:111. [PMID: 34641891 PMCID: PMC8506098 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-021-00755-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is the concluding paper of our 11-paper supplement, "Community health workers at the dawn of a new era". METHODS We relied on our collective experience, an extensive body of literature about community health workers (CHWs), and the other papers in this supplement to identify the most pressing challenges facing CHW programmes and approaches for strengthening CHW programmes. RESULTS CHWs are increasingly being recognized as a critical resource for achieving national and global health goals. These goals include achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals of Universal Health Coverage, ending preventable child and maternal deaths, and making a major contribution to the control of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and noncommunicable diseases. CHWs can also play a critical role in responding to current and future pandemics. For these reasons, we argue that CHWs are now at the dawn of a new era. While CHW programmes have long been an underfunded afterthought, they are now front and centre as the emerging foundation of health systems. Despite this increased attention, CHW programmes continue to face the same pressing challenges: inadequate financing, lack of supplies and commodities, low compensation of CHWs, and inadequate supervision. We outline approaches for strengthening CHW programmes, arguing that their enormous potential will only be realized when investment and health system support matches rhetoric. Rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and implementation research are also needed to enable CHW programmes to continuously improve their quality and effectiveness. CONCLUSION A marked increase in sustainable funding for CHW programmes is needed, and this will require increased domestic political support for prioritizing CHW programmes as economies grow and additional health-related funding becomes available. The paradigm shift called for here will be an important step in accelerating progress in achieving current global health goals and in reaching the goal of Health for All.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry B Perry
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Simon Lewin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway and Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maryse Kok
- Department of Global Health, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kerry Scott
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Independent Consultant, Toronto, Canada
| | - Madeleine Ballard
- Community Health Impact Coalition, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Health System Design and Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Steve Hodgins
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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