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Bam V, Mohammed A, Kusi-Amponsah A, Armah J, Lomotey AY, Budu HI, Atta Poku C, Kyei-Dompim J, Dwumfour C. Caregivers' perception and acceptance of malaria vaccine for Children. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288686. [PMID: 37494408 PMCID: PMC10370692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a disease of public health concern and in endemic areas, pregnant women and children under-five years are vulnerable to the disease. The introduction of the pilot program of a malaria vaccine for children under-five years in Ghana is an intervention to further reduce the burden of the disease. However, the availability of the vaccine does not necessarily mean it will be accepted by the public. This is why the perceptions and acceptance of the vaccine among mothers of these children are worth exploring. METHOD A descriptive qualitative study, with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide, was utilized in collecting data from ten (10) purposively sampled mothers whose children were taking the malaria vaccine in a municipality in Ghana. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively analyzed into themes describing their perceptions and acceptance. RESULTS Participants were aged between 22 and 40 years with eight (8) of them married. Three themes emerged from the study. "Awareness of malaria and the malaria vaccine" (1), "Insight into the malaria vaccine" (2), where participants communicated the beliefs and judgments formed on the vaccine, its benefits, and the need for vaccinating their children. With the third theme "Reaction to vaccine" (3), participants communicated their motivation to vaccinate their children and their concerns about the administration of the vaccine. CONCLUSION The caregivers had positive perceptions about the malaria vaccine for children, with fewer hospital admissions and saving money as some benefits. Healthworkers played a significant role in influencing the acceptance of the vaccine. However, the fear of the unknown concerning the side effects of the vaccine serve as a possible barrier to recommending the vaccine to other caregivers. Health education must also address the fears of caregivers in order to enhance recommending the malaria vaccine to other caregivers and promote uptake of the vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Bam
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Abdulai Mohammed
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Midwifery Training College, Tumu, Tumu Upper West Region, Ghana
| | - Abigail Kusi-Amponsah
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jerry Armah
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Hayford Isaac Budu
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Atta Poku
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joana Kyei-Dompim
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Catherine Dwumfour
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Musoke D, Atusingwize E, Namata C, Ndejjo R, Wanyenze RK, Kamya MR. Integrated malaria prevention in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Malar J 2023; 22:79. [PMID: 36879237 PMCID: PMC9987134 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04500-x] [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: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As many countries aim to eliminate malaria, use of comprehensive approaches targeting the mosquito vector and environment are needed. Integrated malaria prevention advocates the use of several malaria prevention measures holistically at households and in the community. The aim of this systematic review was to collate and summarize the impact of integrated malaria prevention in low- and middle-income countries on malaria burden. METHODS Literature on integrated malaria prevention, defined as the use of two or more malaria prevention methods holistically, was searched from 1st January 2001 to 31st July 2021. The primary outcome variables were malaria incidence and prevalence, while the secondary outcome measures were human biting and entomological inoculation rates, and mosquito mortality. RESULTS A total of 10,931 studies were identified by the search strategy. After screening, 57 articles were included in the review. Studies included cluster randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies, programme evaluations, experimental hut/houses, and field trials. Various interventions were used, mainly combinations of two or three malaria prevention methods including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), topical repellents, insecticide sprays, microbial larvicides, and house improvements including screening, insecticide-treated wall hangings, and screening of eaves. The most common methods used in integrated malaria prevention were ITNs and IRS, followed by ITNs and topical repellents. There was reduced incidence and prevalence of malaria when multiple malaria prevention methods were used compared to single methods. Mosquito human biting and entomological inoculation rates were significantly reduced, and mosquito mortality increased in use of multiple methods compared to single interventions. However, a few studies showed mixed results or no benefits of using multiple methods to prevent malaria. CONCLUSION Use of multiple malaria prevention methods was effective in reducing malaria infection and mosquito density in comparison with single methods. Results from this systematic review can be used to inform future research, practice, policy and programming for malaria control in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Edwinah Atusingwize
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carol Namata
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rawlance Ndejjo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda K Wanyenze
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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An Overview of Malaria Transmission Mechanisms, Control, and Modeling. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 11:medsci11010003. [PMID: 36649040 PMCID: PMC9844307 DOI: 10.3390/medsci11010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. As a result of the interplay between many factors, the control of this disease can be challenging. However, few studies have demonstrated malaria's complexity, control, and modeling although this perspective could lead to effective policy recommendations. This paper aims to be a didactic material providing the reader with an overview of malaria. More importantly, using a system approach lens, we intend to highlight the debated topics and the multifaceted thematic aspects of malaria transmission mechanisms, while showing the control approaches used as well as the model supporting the dynamics of malaria. As there is a large amount of information on each subject, we have attempted to provide a basic understanding of malaria that needs to be further developed. Nevertheless, this study illustrates the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to designing next-generation malaria control policies.
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Ewusie J, Beyene J, Thabane L, Straus SE, Hamid JS. An improved method for analysis of interrupted time series (ITS) data: accounting for patient heterogeneity using weighted analysis. Int J Biostat 2022; 18:521-535. [PMID: 34473922 DOI: 10.1515/ijb-2020-0046] [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: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Interrupted time series (ITS) design is commonly used to evaluate the impact of interventions in healthcare settings. Segmented regression (SR) is the most commonly used statistical method and has been shown to be useful in practical applications involving ITS designs. Nevertheless, SR is prone to aggregation bias, which leads to imprecision and loss of power to detect clinically meaningful differences. The objective of this article is to present a weighted SR method, where variability across patients within the healthcare facility and across time points is incorporated through weights. We present the methodological framework, provide optimal weights associated with data at each time point and discuss relevant statistical inference. We conduct extensive simulations to evaluate performance of our method and provide comparative analysis with the traditional SR using established performance criteria such as bias, mean square error and statistical power. Illustrations using real data is also provided. In most simulation scenarios considered, the weighted SR method produced estimators that are uniformly more precise and relatively less biased compared to the traditional SR. The weighted approach also associated with higher statistical power in the scenarios considered. The performance difference is much larger for data with high variability across patients within healthcare facilities. The weighted method proposed here allows us to account for the heterogeneity in the patient population, leading to increased accuracy and power across all scenarios. We recommend researchers to carefully design their studies and determine their sample size by incorporating heterogeneity in the patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joycelyne Ewusie
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Beyene
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon E Straus
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jemila S Hamid
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Ampofo GD, Osarfo J, Aberese-Ako M, Asem L, Komey MN, Mohammed W, Ofosu AA, Tagbor H. Malaria in pregnancy control and pregnancy outcomes: a decade's overview using Ghana's DHIMS II data. Malar J 2022; 21:303. [PMID: 36303165 PMCID: PMC9615308 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04331-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in pregnancy control interventions have been implemented through antenatal care services for more than 2 decades in Ghana. The uptake of these interventions has seen steady improvement over the years. This has occurred within the context of decreasing global trends of malaria infection confirmed by decreasing malaria in pregnancy prevalence in Ghana. However, not much is known about how these improvements in interventions uptake and reduction in malaria infection prevalence have impacted pregnancy outcomes in the country. This study aimed at describing trends of maternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence and uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions over the last decade using data from Ghana’s District Health Information Management System (DHIMS II). Methods Data from Ghana’s DHIMS II on variables of interest covering the period 2012 to 2021 was analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 365. Results were computed as averages and percentages and presented in tables and graphs. Results The prevalence of maternal anaemia at booking and at term and low birth weight increased marginally from 31.0%, 25.5% and 8.5% in 2012 to 36.6%, 31.9% and 9.5% in 2021 respectively. Severe anaemia prevalence at booking and at term remained under 2% over the study period. Women making at least 4 ANC visits, receiving at least 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria and an insecticide-treated net increased from 77.0%, 41.4% and 4.1% in 2012 to 82%, 55.0% and 93.3% in 2021, respectively. Malaria test positivity rate reduced from 54.0% to 34.3% between 2014 and 2021 while women receiving iron and folate supplementation for 3 and 6 months rose from 43.0% and 25.5% to 89.7% and 61.8%, respectively between 2017 and 2021. Conclusion Maternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence showed marginal upward trends over the last decade despite reduced malaria infection rate and improved uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions. There is room for improvement in current intervention implementation levels but the complex and multi-factorial aetiologies of maternal anaemia and low birth weight need urgent investigation and quantification to inform policy and practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04331-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Osarfo
- University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31, Ho, Ghana
| | | | | | - Mildred Naa Komey
- National Malaria Control Programme-Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Wahjib Mohammed
- National Malaria Control Programme-Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Harry Tagbor
- University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31, Ho, Ghana
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Adeshina OO, Nyame S, Milner J, Milojevic A, Asante KP. Barriers and facilitators to nationwide implementation of the malaria vaccine in Ghana. Health Policy Plan 2022; 38:28-37. [PMID: 36083007 PMCID: PMC9825729 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Interventions such as antimalarial drugs, bed nets and insecticides have helped curb the burden of malaria in the past decade, yet malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children below the age of 5 years. In 2019, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya in sub-Saharan Africa (countries with moderate to high transmission areas of malaria and deaths) started piloting the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine in selected regions. Using qualitative methods, this study examined the main factors (forces) that will influence or hinder the nationwide implementation of the malaria vaccine, if approved, in Ghana. We conducted in-depth interviews with 12 key individuals (national, research/academia and programme implementing partners) in the public health sector in Ghana from October 2018 to February 2019. Results were analysed using Kurt Lewin's force field analysis to understand how organizations interact with their external environment in the delivery of health policies such as the implementation of the malaria vaccine. We found that the disease burden of malaria deaths in Ghana, the efficacy of the vaccine, stakeholder involvement and evidence for the feasibility of vaccine delivery generated by the consortium of researchers (body of researchers) that can track the implementation were the driving forces to scale up the vaccine into a routine health system. On the other hand, the needed logistics, funding, administration of the four-dose vaccine and follow-up were identified as potential barriers. The most influential force collectively highlighted by the respondents was the disease burden, and the most influential barrier was the logistics of delivering the vaccine. Our findings provide decision makers with key barriers and facilitators to guide policy and decision-making for malaria control in Ghana and other similar settings in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omolola Oyinkan Adeshina
- *Corresponding author. Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK. E-mail:
| | - Solomon Nyame
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana
| | - James Milner
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK,Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Ai Milojevic
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK,Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Kwaku Poku Asante
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana,Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Obonyo CO, Juma EA, Were VO, Ogutu BR. Efficacy of 3-day low dose quinine plus clindamycin versus artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Kenyan children (CLINDAQUINE): an open-label randomized trial. Malar J 2022; 21:30. [PMID: 35109841 PMCID: PMC8809037 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04050-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization recommends quinine plus clindamycin as first-line treatment of malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy and as a second-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria when artemisinin-based drug combinations are not available. The efficacy of quinine plus clindamycin was compared with that of artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children below 5 years of age. Methods An open-label, phase 3, randomized trial was conducted in western Kenya. Children aged 6–59 months with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated randomization list to receive 3 days of twice a day treatment with either oral quinine (20 mg/kg/day) plus clindamycin (20 mg/kg/day) or artemether-lumefantrine (artemether 20 mg, lumefantrine 120 mg) as one (for those weighing 5–14 kg) or two (for those weighing 15–24 kg) tablets per dose. The primary outcome was a PCR-corrected rate of adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) on day 28 in the per-protocol population. Results Of the 384 children enrolled, 182/192 (94.8%) receiving quinine plus clindamycin and 171/192 (89.1%) receiving artemether-lumefantrine completed the study. The PCR-corrected ACPR rate was 44.0% (80 children) in the quinine plus clindamycin group and 97.1% (166 children) in the artemether-lumefantrine group (treatment difference − 53.1%, 95% CI − 43.5% to − 62.7%). At 72 h after starting treatment, 50.3% (94 children) in the quinine plus clindamycin group were still parasitaemic compared with 0.5% (1 child) in the artemether-lumefantrine group. Three cases of severe malaria were recorded as serious adverse events in the quinine plus clindamycin group. Conclusions The study found no evidence to support the use of a 3-day low dose course of quinine plus clindamycin in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children under 5 years of age in Kenya, where artemether-lumefantrine is still effective. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry, PACTR20129000419241.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles O Obonyo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Elizabeth A Juma
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 20778, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vincent O Were
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 1578, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bernhards R Ogutu
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 20778, Nairobi, Kenya
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Osarfo J, Ampofo GD, Tagbor H. Trends of malaria infection in pregnancy in Ghana over the past two decades: a review. Malar J 2022; 21:3. [PMID: 34983534 PMCID: PMC8725495 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-04031-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There has been a global decline in malaria transmission over the past decade. However, not much is known of the impact of this observation on the burden of malaria infection in pregnancy in endemic regions including Ghana. A narrative review was undertaken to help describe trends in malaria infection in pregnancy in Ghana. Among others, such information is important in showing any progress made in malaria in pregnancy control. Methods To describe trends in pregnancy-associated malaria infection in Ghana, a search and review of literature reporting data on the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnancy was conducted. Results Thirty-six (36) studies, conducted over 1994–2019, were included in the review. In the northern savannah zone with largely seasonal malaria transmission, prevalence appeared to reduce from about 50–60% in 1994–2010 to 13–26% by 2019. In the middle transitional/forest zone, where transmission is perennial with peaks in the rainy season, prevalence apparently reduced from 60% in the late 1990 s to about 5–20% by 2018. In the coastal savannah area, there was apparent reduction from 28 to 35% in 2003–2010 to 5–11% by 2018–2019. The burden of malaria infection in pregnancy continues to be highest among teenagers and younger-aged pregnant women and paucigravidae. Conclusions There appears to be a decline in asymptomatic parasite prevalence in pregnancy in Ghana though this has not been uniform across the different transmission zones. The greatest declines were noticeably in urban settings. Submicroscopic parasitaemia remains a challenge for control efforts. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the reduced parasite prevalence on maternal anaemia and low birthweight and to assess the local burden of submicroscopic parasitaemia in relation to pregnancy outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-04031-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Osarfo
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
| | - Gifty Dufie Ampofo
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
| | - Harry Tagbor
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
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Nice J, Nahusenay H, Eckert E, Eisele TP, Ashton RA. Estimating malaria chemoprevention and vector control coverage using program and campaign data: A scoping review of current practices and opportunities. J Glob Health 2021; 10:020413. [PMID: 33110575 PMCID: PMC7568932 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate estimation of intervention coverage is a vital component of malaria program monitoring and evaluation, both for process evaluation (how well program targets are achieved), and impact evaluation (whether intervention coverage had an impact on malaria burden). There is growing interest in maximizing the utility of program data to generate interim estimates of intervention coverage in the periods between large-scale cross-sectional surveys (the gold standard). As such, this study aimed to identify relevant concepts and themes that may guide future optimization of intervention coverage estimation using routinely collected data, or data collected during and following intervention campaigns, with a particular focus on strategies to define the denominator. Methods We conducted a scoping review of current practices to estimate malaria intervention coverage for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs); indoor residual spray (IRS); intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp); mass drug administration (MDA); and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) interventions; case management was excluded. Multiple databases were searched for relevant articles published from January 1, 2015 to June 1, 2018. Additionally, we identified and included other guidance relevant to estimating population denominators, with a focus on innovative techniques. Results While program data have the potential to provide intervention coverage data, there are still substantial challenges in selecting appropriate denominators. The review identified a lack of consistency in how coverage was defined and reported for each intervention type, with denominator estimation methods not clearly or consistently reported, and denominator estimates rarely triangulated with other data sources to present the feasible range of denominator values and consequently the range of likely coverage estimates. Conclusions Though household survey-based estimates of intervention coverage remain the gold standard, efforts should be made to further standardize practices for generating interim measurements of intervention coverage from program data, and for estimating and reporting population denominators. This includes fully describing any projections or adjustments made to existing census or population data, exploring opportunities to validate available data by comparing with other sources, and explaining how the denominator has been restricted (or not) to reflect exclusion criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Nice
- MEASURE Evaluation, Centre for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Honelgn Nahusenay
- MEASURE Evaluation, Centre for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Erin Eckert
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, D.C., USA.,RTI International, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Thomas P Eisele
- Centre for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ruth A Ashton
- MEASURE Evaluation, Centre for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Malaria in Cambodia: A Retrospective Analysis of a Changing Epidemiology 2006-2019. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041960. [PMID: 33670471 PMCID: PMC7922556 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: In Cambodia, malaria persists with changing epidemiology and resistance to antimalarials. This study aimed to describe how malaria has evolved spatially from 2006 to 2019 in Cambodia. Methods: We undertook a secondary analysis of existing malaria data from all government healthcare facilities in Cambodia. The epidemiology of malaria was described by sex, age, seasonality, and species. Spatial clusters at the district level were identified with a Poisson model. Results: Overall, incidence decreased from 7.4 cases/1000 population in 2006 to 1.9 in 2019. The decrease has been drastic for females, from 6.7 to 0.6/1000. Adults aged 15–49 years had the highest malaria incidence among all age groups. The proportion of Plasmodium (P.) falciparum + Mixed among confirmed cases declined from 87.9% (n = 67,489) in 2006 to 16.6% (n = 5290) in 2019. Clusters of P. falciparum + Mixed and P. vivax + Mixed were detected in forested provinces along all national borders. Conclusions: There has been a noted decrease in P. falciparum cases in 2019, suggesting that an intensification plan should be maintained. A decline in P. vivax cases was also noted, although less pronounced. Interventions aimed at preventing new infections of P. vivax and relapses should be prioritized. All detected malaria cases should be captured by the national surveillance system to avoid misleading trends.
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Awine T, Silal SP. Accounting for regional transmission variability and the impact of malaria control interventions in Ghana: a population level mathematical modelling approach. Malar J 2020; 19:423. [PMID: 33228659 PMCID: PMC7684904 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03496-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper investigates the impact of malaria preventive interventions in Ghana and the prospects of achieving programme goals using mathematical models based on regionally diverse climatic zones of the country. METHODS Using data from the District Health Information Management System of the Ghana Health Service from 2008 to 2017, and historical intervention coverage levels, ordinary non-linear differential equations models were developed. These models incorporated transitions amongst various disease compartments for the three main ecological zones in Ghana. The Approximate Bayesian Computational sampling approach, with a distance based rejection criteria, was adopted for calibration. A leave-one-out approach was used to validate model parameters and the most sensitive parameters were evaluated using a multivariate regression analysis. The impact of insecticide-treated bed nets and their usage, and indoor residual spraying, as well as their protective efficacy on the incidence of malaria, was simulated at various levels of coverage and protective effectiveness in each ecological zone to investigate the prospects of achieving goals of the Ghana malaria control strategy for 2014-2020. RESULTS Increasing the coverage levels of both long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying activities, without a corresponding increase in their recommended utilization, does not impact highly on averting predicted incidence of malaria. Improving proper usage of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets could lead to substantial reductions in the predicted incidence of malaria. Similar results were obtained with indoor residual spraying across all ecological zones of Ghana. CONCLUSIONS Projected goals set in the national strategic plan for malaria control 2014-2020, as well as World Health Organization targets for malaria pre-elimination by 2030, are only likely to be achieved if a substantial improvement in treated bed net usage is achieved, coupled with targeted deployment of indoor residual spraying with high community acceptability and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Awine
- Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sheetal P. Silal
- Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in Tropical Disease Modelling, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Hamid-Adiamoh M, Amambua-Ngwa A, Nwakanma D, D'Alessandro U, Awandare GA, Afrane YA. Insecticide resistance in indoor and outdoor-resting Anopheles gambiae in Northern Ghana. Malar J 2020; 19:314. [PMID: 32867769 PMCID: PMC7460795 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selection pressure from continued exposure to insecticides drives development of insecticide resistance and changes in resting behaviour of malaria vectors. There is need to understand how resistance drives changes in resting behaviour within vector species. The association between insecticide resistance and resting behaviour of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) in Northern Ghana was examined. METHODS F1 progenies from adult mosquitoes collected indoors and outdoors were exposed to DDT, deltamethrin, malathion and bendiocarb using WHO insecticide susceptibility tests. Insecticide resistance markers including voltage-gated sodium channel (Vgsc)-1014F, Vgsc-1014S, Vgsc-1575Y, glutathione-S-transferase epsilon 2 (GSTe2)-114T and acetylcholinesterase (Ace1)-119S, as well as blood meal sources were investigated using PCR methods. Activities of metabolic enzymes, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), non-specific β-esterases, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and monooxygenases were measured from unexposed F1 progenies using microplate assays. RESULTS Susceptibility of Anopheles coluzzii to deltamethrin 24 h post-exposure was significantly higher in indoor (mortality = 5%) than outdoor (mortality = 2.5%) populations (P = 0.02). Mosquitoes were fully susceptible to malathion (mortality: indoor = 98%, outdoor = 100%). Susceptibility to DDT was significantly higher in outdoor (mortality = 9%) than indoor (mortality = 0%) mosquitoes (P = 0.006). Mosquitoes were also found with suspected resistance to bendiocarb but mortality was not statistically different (mortality: indoor = 90%, outdoor = 95%. P = 0.30). Frequencies of all resistance alleles were higher in F1 outdoor (0.11-0.85) than indoor (0.04-0.65) mosquito populations, while Vgsc-1014F in F0 An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s) was significantly associated with outdoor-resting behaviour (P = 0.01). Activities of non-specific β-esterase enzymes were significantly higher in outdoor than indoor mosquitoes (Mean enzyme activity: Outdoor = : 1.70/mg protein; Indoor = 1.35/mg protein. P < 0.0001). AChE activity was also more elevated in outdoor (0.62/mg protein) than indoor (0.57/mg protein) mosquitoes but this was not significant (P = 0.08). Human blood index (HBI) was predominantly detected in indoor (18%) than outdoor mosquito populations (3%). CONCLUSIONS The overall results did not establish that there was a significant preference of resistant malaria vectors to solely rest indoors or outdoors, but varied depending on the resistant alleles present. Phenotypic resistance was higher in indoor than outdoor-resting mosquitoes, but genotypic and metabolic resistance levels were higher in outdoor than the indoor populations. Continued monitoring of changes in resting behaviour within An. gambiae s.l. populations is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Davis Nwakanma
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Yaw A Afrane
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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13
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Gogue C, Wagman J, Tynuv K, Saibu A, Yihdego Y, Malm K, Mohamed W, Akplu W, Tagoe T, Ofosu A, Williams I, Asiedu S, Richardson J, Fornadel C, Slutsker L, Robertson M. An observational analysis of the impact of indoor residual spraying in Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions of Ghana: 2014 through 2017. Malar J 2020; 19:242. [PMID: 32652994 PMCID: PMC7353711 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ghana has been implementing the indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides since 2006, focusing operations in the north. Insecticide resistance concerns prompted a switch from pyrethroids to organophosphates, beginning gradually in 2011 and switching fully to the micro-encapsulated formulation of pirimiphosmethyl (PM CS), Actellic® 300CS, a third-generation indoor residual spraying (3GIRS) product, by 2014. Entomological surveillance studies have shown IRS to be a highly effective malaria control tool, but epidemiological evidence is needed as well. Countrywide prevalence surveys have shown that malaria parasite prevalence in children under 5 years of age in Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions had declined to less than 40% in each region by 2016. Similarly, malaria deaths in children under 5 years of age have also been declining nationally since 2009. Although IRS is suspected to have contributed to this decline, stronger evidence is needed to link the IRS interventions to the epidemiological impact. Methods To assess the epidemiological impact of Ghana’s IRS programmatic activities, a retrospective, observational analysis using routine epidemiological data was conducted to compare malaria incidence rates from IRS and non-IRS districts in Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions. Routine epidemiological data consisted of passive malaria case surveillance data reported in the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2); with cases representing patients with suspected malaria who had sought care in the public health system and had received a confirmatory diagnosis with a positive malaria RDT result. Final routine data were extracted in September 2018. All districts that had received IRS were included in the analysis and compared to all non-IRS districts within the same region. In the Northern Region, only PMI districts were included in the analysis, as they had similar historical data. Results District-level analysis from Northern Region from 2015 to 2017 of the aggregate malaria incidence reported from IRS districts relative to non-IRS comparator districts showed 39%, 26%, and 58% fewer confirmed malaria cases reported from IRS districts in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. This translates to approximately 257,000 fewer cases than expected over the three years. In Upper East Region, the effect on reported malaria cases of withdrawing IRS from the region was striking; after spray operations were suspended in 2015, incidence increased an average of 485% per district (95% confidence interval: 330% to 640%) compared to 2014. Conclusions The current observational analysis results are in line with the entomological studies in demonstrating the positive contribution of IRS with a 3GIRS product to malaria control programmes in northern Ghana and the value of using routine surveillance and implementation data to rapidly assess the impact of vector control interventions in operational settings, even in complex implementation environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yemane Yihdego
- Abt Associates Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Program, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keziah Malm
- National Malaria Control Programme, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Samuel Asiedu
- AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control Limited, Accra, Ghana
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14
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Mitratza M, Kardaun JWPF, Kunst AE. How large should a cause of death be in order to be included in mortality trend analysis? Deriving a cut-off point from retrospective trend analyses in 21 European countries. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e031702. [PMID: 31969361 PMCID: PMC7044923 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) distinguishes a large number of causes of death (CODs) that could each be studied individually when monitoring time-trends. We aimed to develop recommendations for using the size of CODs as a criterion for their inclusion in long-term trend analysis. DESIGN Retrospective trend analysis. SETTING 21 European countries of the WHO Mortality Database. PARTICIPANTS Deaths from CODs (3-position ICD-10 codes) with ≥5 average annual deaths in a 15-year period between 2000 and 2016. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Fitting polynomial regression models, we examined for each COD in each country whether or not changes over time were statistically significant (with α=0.05) and we assessed correlates of this outcome. Applying receiver operating characteristicROC curve diagnostics, we derived COD size thresholds for selecting CODs for trends analysis. RESULTS Across all countries, 64.0% of CODs had significant long-term trends. The odds of having a significant trend increased by 18% for every 10% increase of COD size. The independent effect of country was negligible. As compared to circulatory system diseases, the probability of a significant trend was lower for neoplasms and digestive system diseases, and higher for infectious diseases, mental diseases and signs-and-symptoms. We derived a general threshold of around 30 (range: 28-33) annual deaths for inclusion of a COD in trend analysis. The relevant threshold for neoplasms was around 65 (range: 61-70) and for infectious diseases was 20 (range: 19-20). CONCLUSIONS The likelihood that long-term trends are detected with statistical significance is strongly related to COD size and varies between ICD-10 chapters, but has no independent relation to country. We recommend a general size criterion of 30 annual deaths to select CODs for long-term mortality-trends analysis in European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Mitratza
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan W P F Kardaun
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Health and Care, Statistics Netherlands, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Anton E Kunst
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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Kigozi SP, Kigozi RN, Sserwanga A, Nankabirwa JI, Staedke SG, Kamya MR, Pullan RL. Malaria Burden through Routine Reporting: Relationship between Incidence and Test Positivity Rates. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 101:137-147. [PMID: 31074412 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Test positivity rate (TPR)-confirmed cases per 100 suspected cases tested, and test-confirmed malaria case rate (IR)-cases per 1,000 population, are common indicators used routinely for malaria surveillance. However, few studies have explored relationships between these indicators over time and space. We studied the relationship between these indicators in children aged < 11 years presenting with suspected malaria to the outpatient departments of level IV health centers in Nagongera, Kihihi, and Walukuba in Uganda from October 2011 to June 2016. We evaluated trends in indicators over time and space, and explored associations using multivariable regression models. Overall, 65,710 participants visited the three clinics. Pairwise comparisons of TPR and IR by month showed similar trends, particularly for TPRs < 50% and during low-transmission seasons, but by village, the relationship was complex. Village mean annual TPRs remained constant, whereas IRs drastically declined with increasing distance from the health center. Villages that were furthest away from the health centers (fourth quartile for distance) had significantly lower IRs than nearby villages (first quartile), with an incidence rate ratio of 0.40 in Nagongera (95% CI: 0.23-0.63; P = 0.001), 0.55 in Kihihi (0.40-0.75; P < 0.001), and 0.25 in Walukuba (0.12-0.51; P < 0.001). Regression analysis results emphasized a nonlinear (cubic) relationship between TPR and IR, after accounting for month, village, season, and demographic factors. Results show that the two indicators are highly relevant for monitoring malaria burden. However, interpretation differs with TPR primarily indicating demand for malaria treatment resources and IR indicating malaria risk among health facility catchment populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Kigozi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth N Kigozi
- United States Agency for International Development's Malaria Action Program for Districts, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Joaniter I Nankabirwa
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah G Staedke
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rachel L Pullan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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16
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Effect of Free Healthcare Policy for Children under Five Years Old on the Incidence of Reported Malaria Cases in Burkina Faso by Bayesian Modelling: "Not only the Ears but also the Head of the Hippopotamus". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020417. [PMID: 31936308 PMCID: PMC7014427 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Burkina Faso has recently implemented an additional strategy, the free healthcare policy, to further improve maternal and child health. This policy targets children under five who bear the brunt of the malaria scourge. The effects of the free-of-charge healthcare were previously assessed in women but not in children. The present study aims at filling this gap by assessing the effect of this policy in children under five with a focus on the induced spatial and temporal changes in malaria morbidity. We used a Bayesian spatiotemporal negative binomial model to investigate the space–time variation in malaria incidence in relation to the implementation of the policy. The analysis relied on malaria routine surveillance data extracted from the national health data repository and spanning the period from January 2013 to December 2018. The model was adjusted for meteorological and contextual confounders. We found that the number of presumed and confirmed malaria cases per 1000 children per month increased between 2013 and 2018. We further found that the implementation of the free healthcare policy was significantly associated with a two-fold increase in the number of tested and confirmed malaria cases compared with the period before the policy rollout. This effect was, however, heterogeneous across the health districts. We attributed the rise in malaria incidence following the policy rollout to an increased use of health services combined with an increased availability of rapid tests and a higher compliance to the “test and treat” policy. The observed heterogeneity in the policy effect was attributed to parallel control interventions, some of which were rolled out at different paces and scales. Our findings call for a sustained and reinforced effort to test all suspected cases so that, alongside an improved case treatment, the true picture of the malaria scourge in children under five emerges clearly (see the hippopotamus almost entirely).
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17
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Prevalence of Asymptomatic Malaria among Children in the Tamale Metropolis: How Does the PfHRP2 CareStart™ RDT Perform against Microscopy? J Trop Med 2019; 2019:6457628. [PMID: 31933652 PMCID: PMC6942882 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6457628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Asymptomatic carriage of the malaria parasites, likewise its misdiagnosis, especially false negatives, due to the use of substandard rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) has been shown to hinder the progress of the fight against malaria. Method The study assessed the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria as well as the performance of Plasmodium falciparum-specific protein and histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) CareStart™ RDT against standard microscopy in the detection of malaria infection among 345 children (1–15 yrs) from two (2) basic schools in Tamale Metropolis. Results From the microscopy (considered as gold standard), prevalence of malaria among the asymptomatic children was found to be 2.6%, with sensitivity and specificity of CareStart™ RDT in detecting P. falciparum infections found to be 55.6% and 93.8%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of CareStart™ RDT were found to be 19.23% and 98.45%, respectively. There was an evidence showing a significant relation between CareStart™ RDT and microscopy in determining malaria infection (χ2 = 30.579, p < 0.001). Conclusion Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among children was found to be 2.6%. The study reported low sensitivity and PPV for PfHRP2 CareStart™ RDT in an asymptomatic population at instances of low parasitaemia.
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18
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Rodriguez-Rodriguez D, Maraga S, Lorry L, Robinson LJ, Siba PM, Mueller I, Pulford J, Ross A, Hetzel MW. Repeated mosquito net distributions, improved treatment, and trends in malaria cases in sentinel health facilities in Papua New Guinea. Malar J 2019; 18:364. [PMID: 31718659 PMCID: PMC6852945 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2993-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN), improved diagnosis and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) have reduced malaria prevalence in Papua New Guinea since 2008. Yet, national incidence trends are inconclusive due to confounding effects of the scale-up of rapid diagnostic tests, and inconsistencies in routine reporting. Methods Malaria trends and their association with LLIN and ACT roll-out between 2010 and 2014 in seven sentinel health facilities were analysed. The analysis included 35,329 fever patients. Intervention effects were estimated using regression models. Results Malaria incidence initially ranged from 20 to 115/1000 population; subsequent trends varied by site. Overall, LLIN distributions had a cumulative effect, reducing the number of malaria cases with each round (incidence rate ratio ranging from 0.12 to 0.53 in five sites). No significant reduction was associated with ACT introduction. Plasmodium falciparum remained the dominant parasite in all sentinel health facilities. Resurgence occurred in one site in which a shift to early and outdoor biting of anophelines had previously been documented. Conclusions LLINs, but not ACT, were associated with reductions of malaria cases in a range of settings, but sustainability of the gains appear to depend on local factors. Malaria programmes covering diverse transmission settings such as Papua New Guinea must consider local heterogeneity when choosing interventions and ensure continuous monitoring of trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rodriguez-Rodriguez
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka and Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Seri Maraga
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka and Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Lina Lorry
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka and Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Leanne J Robinson
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka and Madang, Papua New Guinea.,Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia.,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter M Siba
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka and Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Ivo Mueller
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia.,Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Amanda Ross
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel W Hetzel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Lechthaler F, Matthys B, Lechthaler-Felber G, Likwela JL, Mavoko HM, Rika JM, Mutombo MM, Ruckstuhl L, Barczyk J, Shargie E, Prytherch H, Lengeler C. Trends in reported malaria cases and the effects of malaria control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219853. [PMID: 31344062 PMCID: PMC6658057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Considerable upscaling of malaria control efforts have taken place over the last 15 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country with the second highest malaria case load after Nigeria. Malaria control interventions have been strengthened in line with the Millenium Development Goals. We analysed the effects of these interventions on malaria cases at health facility level, using a retrospective trend analysis of malaria cases between 2005 and 2014. Data were collected from outpatient and laboratory registers based on a sample of 175 health facilities that represents all eco-epidemiological malaria settings across the country. Methods We applied a time series analysis to assess trends of suspected and confirmed malaria cases, by health province and for different age groups. A linear panel regression model controlled for non-malaria outpatient cases, rain fall, nightlight intensity, health province and time fixed effects, was used to examine the relationship between the interventions and malaria case occurrences, as well as test positivity rates. Results Overall, recorded suspected and confirmed malaria cases in the DRC have increased. The sharp increase in confirmed cases from 2010 coincides with the introduction of the new treatment policy and the resulting scale-up of diagnostic testing. Controlling for confounding factors, the introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was significantly associated with the number of tested and confirmed cases. The test positivity rate fluctuated around 40% without showing any trend. Conclusion The sharp increase in confirmed malaria cases from 2010 is unlikely to be due to a resurgence of malaria, but is clearly associated with improved diagnostic availability, mainly the introduction of RDTs. Before that, a great part of malaria cases were treated based on clinical suspicion. This finding points to a better detection of cases that potentially contributed to improved case management. Furthermore, the expansion of diagnostic testing along with the increase in confirmed cases implies that before 2010, cases were underreported, and that the accuracy of routine data to describe malaria incidence has improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Lechthaler
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Zollikofen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Matthys
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Giulia Lechthaler-Felber
- Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
| | - Joris Losimba Likwela
- Soins de Santé en Milieu Rural (non-profit organization SANRU), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Junior Matangila Rika
- Tropical Medicine Department, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Meschac Mutombo Mutombo
- National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Laura Ruckstuhl
- University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Barczyk
- The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Estifanos Shargie
- The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Helen Prytherch
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lengeler
- University of Basel, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Canton of Basel Stadt, Switzerland
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20
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Lee MSJ, Coban C. Unforeseen pathologies caused by malaria. Int Immunol 2017; 30:121-129. [DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxx076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Sue Jann Lee
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Japan
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21
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Quakyi IA, Adjei GO, Sullivan DJ, Stephens JK, Laar A, Ama Aubyn VN, Owusu R, Sakyi KS, Coleman N, Krampa FD, Vanotoo L, Tuakli J, Bortei BB, Essuman E, Sorvor F, Boateng IA, Bart-Plange C, Addison EA, Winch P, Adjei AA. Targeted community based interventions improved malaria management competencies in rural Ghana. Glob Health Res Policy 2017; 2:29. [PMID: 29202097 PMCID: PMC5683319 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-017-0048-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is one of the most challenging public health concerns in the developing world. To address its impact in endemic regions, several interventions are implemented by stakeholders. The Affordable Medicine Facility-malaria (AMFm) is an example of such interventions. Its activities include communication interventions to enhance the knowledge of caregivers of children under five years, licensed chemical sellers (LCS) and prescribers on malaria management with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the AMFm activities on malaria among targeted groups in two rural communities in Ghana. Methods A communication intervention study was conducted in the Asante-Akim North and South Districts of Ghana. Repeated cross-sectional pre and post surveys were deployed. Relevant malaria messages were designed and used to develop the information, education and communication (IEC) tools for the intervention. With the aid of posters and flipcharts developed by our study, community health workers (CHWs), prescribers, and licenced chemical sellers provided proper counselling to clients on malaria management. Trained CHWs and community based volunteers educated caregivers of children under five years on malaria management at their homes and at public gatherings such as churches, mosques, schools. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were run to determine associations and control for demographic differences respectively. Results There was significantly high exposure to malaria/ACT interventions in the intervention district than in the comparison district (OR = 16.02; 95% CI = 7.88–32.55) and same for malaria/ACT-related knowledge (OR = 3.63; 95% CI = 2.52–5.23). The participants in the intervention district were also more knowledgeable about correct administration of dispersible drug for children <5 years than their counterparts in the unexposed district. Conclusion Our data show that targeted interventions improve malaria based competences in rural community settings. The availability of subsidized ACTs and the intensity of the communication campaigns contributed to the AMFm-related awareness, improved knowledge on malaria/ACTs and management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella A Quakyi
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - George O Adjei
- Office of Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Judith K Stephens
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Amos Laar
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Richmond Owusu
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwame S Sakyi
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioural Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Nathaniel Coleman
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Francis D Krampa
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Vanotoo
- Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Services, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Bernard B Bortei
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edward Essuman
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Felix Sorvor
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isaac A Boateng
- Asante-Akim Central Municipal Health Directorate, Ghana Health Services, Konongo, Ghana
| | - Constance Bart-Plange
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ebenezer A Addison
- Kpone Katamanso District Health Directorate, Ghana Health Services, Kpone, Tema, Ghana
| | - Peter Winch
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioural Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Andrew A Adjei
- Worldwide Universities Network, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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