Rectal artesunate for severe malaria, implementation research, Zambia
Bull. W.H.O. (Online)
;
101(6): 371-380 A, 2023. tables, figures
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1436739
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine whether the positive results of a single-district pilot project focused on rectal artesunate administration at the community level in Zambia could be replicated on a larger scale. Methods In partnership with government, in 10 rural districts during 20182021 we (i) trained community health volunteers to administer rectal artesunate to children with suspected severe malaria and refer them to a health facility; (ii) supported communities to establish emergency transport, food banks and emergency savings to reduce referral delays; (iii) ensured adequate drug supplies; (iv) trained health workers to treat severe malaria with injectable artesunate; and (v) monitored severe malaria cases and associated deaths via surveys, health facility data and a community monitoring system. Results Intervention communities accessed quality-assured rectal artesunate from trained community health volunteers, and follow-on treatment for severe malaria from health workers. Based on formal data from the health management information system, reported deaths from severe malaria reduced significantly from 3.1% (22/699; 95% confidence interval, CI 2.04.2) to 0.5% (2/365; 95% CI 0.01.1) in two demonstration districts, and from 6.2% (14/225; 95% CI 3.68.8) to 0.6% (2/321; 95% CI 0.01.3) in eight scale-up districts. Conclusion Despite the effects of the coronavirus disease, our results confirmed that pre-referral rectal artesunate administered by community health volunteers can be an effective intervention for severe malaria among young children. Our results strengthen the case for wider expansion of the pre-referral treatment in Zambia and elsewhere when combined with supporting interventions.
Subject(s)
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Therapeutics
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Administration, Rectal
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Mortality
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Artesunate
/
Health Services Research
/
Malaria
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Bull. W.H.O. (Online)
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Development Alternatives Incorporated, Global Health, London, England/GB
/
Development Data, Lusaka, Zambia/ZM
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Disacare, Lusaka, Zambia/ZM
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MAM@Scale, Lusaka, Zambia/ZM
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Medicines for Malaria Venture, Meyrin, Switzerland/CH
/
National Malaria Elimination Centre, Department of Public Health, Lusaka, Zambia/ZM
/
Transaid, 137 Euston Road, London NW1 2AA, England/GB
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