Malaria chemoprophylaxis: The use and abuse by caregivers of children in South east Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children despite concerted efforts to reverse this. Chemoprophylaxis involves the use of anti malarial drugs to prevent malaria infection in humans. However the increasing resistance of plasmodium to medications has limited the effectiveness of chemoprophylactic regimens used in the past. This study will explore the perception of caregivers about these practices and determine the proportion of caregivers who treat their children for malaria without meeting standard criteria.

Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study, was carried out over a 3-month period, from March 2017 to June 2017. Structured questionnaires accompanied by informed consent forms were sent to parents of selected pupils through their children. The first section of the questionnaire was about socio-demographic features of participants while the second section, collected information on outcome variables which assessed respondents’ level of practice of chemoprophylaxis.

Results: A total of 318 (77.2%) caregivers give antimalarial prophylaxis to their children. Mothers without tertiary education (χ = 12.90, P = 0.00) and those from middle and lower socioeconomic classes (χ =15.76, P = 0.00) were significantly more likely to administer malaria chemoprophylaxis to their children.

Conclusion: The misconception on malarial chemotherapy could portend treatment failure if not controlled. Extensive public enlightenment programs on the guidelines for use of anti-malarial will go a long way in ensuring rational use of anti-malarial drugs in the fight against malaria particularly in high burden areas such as Nigeria.