Introduction: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) was adopted in 2019 in two health zones in Benin where malaria transmission is very high. Positive results led to the extension of the intervention to other zones w...Introduction: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) was adopted in 2019 in two health zones in Benin where malaria transmission is very high. Positive results led to the extension of the intervention to other zones with additional financial support. Annual SMC campaigns from 2021 to 2023 were carried out in all six health zones in the Atacora and Alibori departments. In five years of implementation, various approaches have been developed on the basis of a communication plan facilitating buy-in and acceptance by all stakeholders. The aim of this study was to assess the effective coverage and acceptance of the SMC by their beneficiary populations in 2023. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with an analytical focus. Data collection took place from November 30 to December 13, 2023. The study population consisted of children under 5 years of age residing in the departments of Atacora and Alibori in northern Benin. A total of 3573 children under 5 years of age were included in the study, and their parents or guardians were interviewed. Results: During the 2023 campaign, 87.7% of targets were reached by SMC administration and 100.00% of children had received at least one dose of SMC by the fourth visit. Effective therapeutic coverage of SMC was 70.55%, with 99.60% in BNK, 69.40% in KGS, 16.20% in MK, 56.10% in 2KP, 92.40% in NBT and 89.60% in TMC. This coverage was statistically related to child and respondent ages (p Conclusion: SMC is a strategy accepted by the population, and the main reasons for non-participation in SMC were dominated by the absence of mothers or babysitters when the agents visited.展开更多
Background: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is crucial for reducing the burden of malaria in children. However, adverse events (AEs) can affect treatment adherence and efficacy. This study assesses the prevalen...Background: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is crucial for reducing the burden of malaria in children. However, adverse events (AEs) can affect treatment adherence and efficacy. This study assesses the prevalence of AEs associated with SMC and identifies factors associated with treatment discontinuation. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 3115 children receiving SMC was conducted. The study was conducted in two departments in northern Benin. The prevalence of AEs and factors associated with discontinuation of treatment were analyzed. Results: Among the children, 578 (18.6%, 95% CI: 17.2 - 19.9) reported AEs, mainly vomiting (63.5%), fever (43.8%) and diarrhea (23.0%). Boys (51.9%) had slightly more AEs than girls (48.1%). The prevalence of AEs was higher in rural areas (64.0%) than in urban areas (36.0%). Only 2.8% of children stopped taking SMC because of AEs. There was no significant association between AEs and discontinuation of SMC (p = 0.608). Children referred to health centers for management of AEs were less likely to discontinue treatment (p = 0.015). Conclusion: AEs were common, but the rate of discontinuation of SMC due to AEs was low, indicating good treatment tolerance. Effective management of AEs in health centers reduces treatment interruptions.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) was adopted in 2019 in two health zones in Benin where malaria transmission is very high. Positive results led to the extension of the intervention to other zones with additional financial support. Annual SMC campaigns from 2021 to 2023 were carried out in all six health zones in the Atacora and Alibori departments. In five years of implementation, various approaches have been developed on the basis of a communication plan facilitating buy-in and acceptance by all stakeholders. The aim of this study was to assess the effective coverage and acceptance of the SMC by their beneficiary populations in 2023. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with an analytical focus. Data collection took place from November 30 to December 13, 2023. The study population consisted of children under 5 years of age residing in the departments of Atacora and Alibori in northern Benin. A total of 3573 children under 5 years of age were included in the study, and their parents or guardians were interviewed. Results: During the 2023 campaign, 87.7% of targets were reached by SMC administration and 100.00% of children had received at least one dose of SMC by the fourth visit. Effective therapeutic coverage of SMC was 70.55%, with 99.60% in BNK, 69.40% in KGS, 16.20% in MK, 56.10% in 2KP, 92.40% in NBT and 89.60% in TMC. This coverage was statistically related to child and respondent ages (p Conclusion: SMC is a strategy accepted by the population, and the main reasons for non-participation in SMC were dominated by the absence of mothers or babysitters when the agents visited.
文摘Background: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is crucial for reducing the burden of malaria in children. However, adverse events (AEs) can affect treatment adherence and efficacy. This study assesses the prevalence of AEs associated with SMC and identifies factors associated with treatment discontinuation. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 3115 children receiving SMC was conducted. The study was conducted in two departments in northern Benin. The prevalence of AEs and factors associated with discontinuation of treatment were analyzed. Results: Among the children, 578 (18.6%, 95% CI: 17.2 - 19.9) reported AEs, mainly vomiting (63.5%), fever (43.8%) and diarrhea (23.0%). Boys (51.9%) had slightly more AEs than girls (48.1%). The prevalence of AEs was higher in rural areas (64.0%) than in urban areas (36.0%). Only 2.8% of children stopped taking SMC because of AEs. There was no significant association between AEs and discontinuation of SMC (p = 0.608). Children referred to health centers for management of AEs were less likely to discontinue treatment (p = 0.015). Conclusion: AEs were common, but the rate of discontinuation of SMC due to AEs was low, indicating good treatment tolerance. Effective management of AEs in health centers reduces treatment interruptions.
