| Title: |
Adherence to a three-day course of Artesunate/Amodiaquine for uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum malaria in Sierra Leone: results from 5 Peripheral Health Units in Tonkolili district |
Description:
Malaria is the main morbidity in children < 5 years in Sierra Leone, as well as in many Sub Saharan countries, accounting for ca. 50 % of all consultations in health facilities.
Emerging resistance of plasmodium falciparum (PF) to Chloroquine (CQ) and subsequently Sulphadoxine / Pyrimethamine (SP) has led to increased morbidity and mortality. Currently the most effective treatment for drug resistant PF is Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), which comprises a short acting Artemisinin and a longer acting effective antimalarial as a combination. Adherence to a three day course of two different drugs is a major concern, as non-adherence could lead to recrudescence and the early development of resistance. Therefore achieving the highest possible adherence must be the goal of ACT implementation into the health services. In a pilot study in Tonkolili and Kambia district in the Northern province of Sierra Leone, Médecins Sans Frontières Holland (MSFH) implemented the new ACT protocol and introduced blistered packages of Artesunate/Amodiaquine (AS/AQ) into the Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) after intensive training of health staff, especially focussing on correct diagnosis of malaria and confirmation of the clinical diagnosis by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). Following the implementation, a cross sectional study was performed in the MSFH supported PHUS in Tonkolili district to assess patients’ adherence to the new ACT protocol. |
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| Date Of Record Creation: |
2013-07-05 03:39:19 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Of Record Release: |
2013-07-05 03:40:57 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Last Modified: |
2013-07-05 03:41:12 (W3C-DTF) |