Integrating nutrition assessments and seasonal malaria chemoprevention: Results from a mixed-methods feasibility study in Guinea.
Trop Med Int Health
; 28(7): 571-575, 2023 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37258746
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has become a critical intervention for malaria prevention and control. There is a growing interest to generate evidence that health campaigns such as SMC can be leveraged for integration or co-administration of other health efforts such as nutritional supplements, immunizations, or vitamin A.OBJECTIVE:
We conducted a pilot study to assess whether nutrition assessments could be integrated into existing SMC programming in two districts in Guinea.METHODS:
Of 106,480 children under 5 years of age (CU5) who received sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine as part of SMC by community drug distributors (CDDs), 2210 had their mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessed by CDD supervisors.RESULTS:
Of these, 177 (8.0%) had a MUAC < 125 mm and were therefore classified as acutely malnourished; 161 CU5 were referred to health facilities for follow-up. Importantly, no drop in SMC programmatic coverage was observed in districts conducting MUAC on top of SMC. Key informant interviews with district officials and focus group discussions with CDD supervisors showed a generally positive effect of integrating MUAC into SMC, although CDD supervisors had concerns about workload with added responsibilities of MUAC assessments.CONCLUSION:
Integrating other health interventions with SMC is accepted-and indeed welcomed-by the population and health workers, and does not result in a drop in SMC programmatic coverage.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Malária
/
Antimaláricos
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trop Med Int Health
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Guiné