Factors associated with adherence to the unsupervised daily dose of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Builsa North District, Upper East Region of Ghana

Cheick O  Doumbia; Ernest  Kenu; Ilo  Dicko; Mountaga  Diallo; Brahima  Konate; Samba  Diarra; Mahamadou  Diakite; Seydou  Doumbia

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2022.6.3.1.312-319

Cheick O Doumbia University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali & Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Ernest Kenu Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Ilo Dicko University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Mountaga Diallo University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Brahima Konate University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Samba Diarra University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Mahamadou Diakite University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali & Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
Seydou Doumbia University Clinical Research Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2022.6.3.1.312-319

Keywords: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention, children under five, Amodiaquine-Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, adherence

Abstract

Background: Since 2015, seasonal malaria chemotherapy (SMC) with amodiaquine–sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ-SP) has been implemented during the high malaria transmission season in three regions of Ghana. Adherence to the SMC is a critical determinant for successfully protecting children < 5 years. In Ghana, the SMC implementation was started in 2015.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of adherence to SMC and the associated factors among caregivers in Builsa North District.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in four sub-districts in the Builsa North District. The 435 participants were recruited via balloting using a random sampling procedure. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine associations between SMC adherence and the independent variables, with all results interpreted at a 95% confidence level.
Results: The SMC adherence rate among the caregivers in the Builsa North District was 95.63% (n = 416/435) with an awareness level of 97.94% (n = 427/435). The reasons reported for non-adherence were the child's refusal of the drug (38.88%, n = 7/18), the child vomiting the drug (33.33%, n = 6/18), the occurrence of an illness within the period of medication (15.38%, n = 3/18) and forgetting to give the subsequent doses (12.82%, n = 2/18). About half (49.31%, n = 214/435) of caregivers had a good knowledge of malaria, while 66.51% (n = 290/435) had a fair knowledge of SMC. Significant predictors of SMC on multiple logistic regression were the place of residence [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02 –12.56]; caregivers’ dissatisfaction (aOR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01 – 0.74), and being informed by a friend (aOR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01 – 0.51).
Conclusion: This study found a very high adherence rate to SMC in Builsa North District. The key factors associated with SMC adherence were being aware of SMC through non-health professional sources, place of residence, and caregivers' satisfaction with the previous SMC campaign.