Using the role model approach to optimise caregiver administration of sulfadoxine- pyrimethamine amodiaquine to children aged 3–59 months in Burkina Faso, Chad and Togo: findings from an evaluation (preprint)

Background Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a World Health Organization-recommended intervention for the prevention of malaria among children at high risk in areas with seasonal transmission. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, SMC drug distribution was rapidly adapted to reduce contact and mitigate the risk of transmission between communities and community distributors, with caregivers administering doses. To address the challenges and find local solutions to improve administration and adherence, the role model approach was designed, implemented and evaluated in selected communities of Burkina Faso, Chad and Togo. This paper describes the results of this evaluation.Methods Focus group discussions were held with primary caregivers in all three countries to understand their perceptions of the approach’s acceptability and feasibility. In Burkina Faso and Togo, household surveys assessed the characteristics of caregivers reached by role model activities. Key indicators on SMC coverage and adherence allowed for an assessment of caregiver engagement outcomes related to participation in activities. We tested statistical associations between participation in role model activities and caregiver beliefs related to SMC.Results The majority of caregivers believed the approach to have a positive effect on drug administration, with most adopting the promoted strategies. Greater involvement of fathers in drug administration and acknowledgement of their joint responsibility was a notable positive outcome. However, several barriers to participation were noted and there was criticism of the group approach. In Burkina Faso and Togo, end-of-round survey results revealed that 98.4% of respondents agreed the approach improved their knowledge and skills in malaria prevention, while 100% expressed a desire to continue practicing the behaviours learned. However, there was a relatively low level of awareness of the approach among communities. Participation was strongly associated with participants’ self-reported belief in ease of remembering to administer, and ease of administering, SMC medicines.Conclusion Caregivers perceived the role model approach to be beneficial in aiding drug administration, with other positive impacts also reported. Replication and scale-up should utilise the most popular communication channels and existing community structures to ensure activities are promoted effectively. A mixture of group and one-on-one approaches should be used where appropriate and feasible.

Delivery of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention With Enhanced Infection Prevention and Control Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad: A Cross-sectional Study (preprint)

Introduction: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a WHO-recommended intervention for children aged 3-59 months living in areas of high malaria transmission to provide protection against malaria during the rainy season. Operational guidelines were developed, based on WHO guidance, to support countries to mitigate the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission within communities and among community distributors when delivering SMC.MethodsA cross-sectional study to determine adherence to infection prevention and control measures during two distribution cycles of SMC in Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso. Community distributors were observed receiving equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence across six domains was calculated as the proportion of indications in which the community distributor performed the correct action. Focus group discussions were conducted with community distributors to understand their perceptions of the infection prevention and control measures and barriers and facilitators to adherence.ResultsWe observed community distributors in Nigeria (n=259), Burkina Faso (n=252) and Chad (n=266) receiving infection prevention and control equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence to infection prevention and control indications varied. In all three countries, adherence to mask use was the highest (ranging from 73.3% in Nigeria to 86.9% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to hand hygiene for at least 30 seconds was low (ranging from 3.6% in Nigeria to 10.3% in Burkina Faso) but increased substantially when excluding the length of time spent hand washing (ranging from 36.7% in Nigeria to 61.4% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to safe distancing in the compound ranged from 5.4% in Chad to 16.4% in Nigeria. In Burkina Faso and Chad, where disinfection wipes widely available compliance with disinfection of blister packs for SMC was low (17.4% in Burkina Faso and 16.9% in Chad). Community distributors generally found the infection prevention and control measures acceptable, however there were barriers to optimal hand hygiene practices, cultural norms made social distancing difficult to adhere to and caregivers needed assistance to administer the first dose of SMC.ConclusionAdherence to infection prevention and control measures for SMC delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across domains of infection prevention and control, but was largely insufficient, particularly for hand hygiene and safe distancing. Improvements in provision of equipment, early awareness raising and adaptations to make infection prevention and control measures more feasible to implement could increase adherence.