Assessment of predictors of use of antimalaria drugs for treatment of malaria/fever in the Kilombero and Rufiji valleys in Tanzania
Date
2008-10-13T12:47:03Z
Authors
Tindanbil, Daniel
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Abstract
Background
The World Health Organisation currently recommends the use of artemisinin-based
combination drugs for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in high malaria endemic
regions. However, comprehensive understanding of factors affecting treatment of malaria
with antimalarials is lacking in many rural communities in Africa. This study seeks to test
the following hypothesise:
1. That socio-economic and demographic factors at the household level affect treatment
of self reported malaria/fever with antimalarials in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji
valleys in Tanzania
2. Distance of a household to a health facility affects treatment of malaria/fever with
antimalarials in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji valleys in Tanzania.
Methods: Secondary data analysis of a cross- sectional household survey on antimalarials
carried out in 2005 in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji valleys in Tanzania. Georeferenced
health facilities and households’ datasets from the Rufiji and Ifakara
demographic surveillance systems sites were also used to estimate distance variables.
Results: Out of a total of 1433 participants who reported malaria/fever, 32% (95% CI:
29.29, 34.89) obtained treatment with antimalarials. Among them, 36% obtained treatment
with Sulfadoxine Pyreminthamine (SP) as a monotherapy and 44% treated malaria/fever
with SP and Artesunate as a combination therapy.8% used quinine while 11 % used
Amodiaquine and Artesunate. The remaining 1% used chloroquine. After adjusting for all
confounding variables in a multivariate survey logistic regression model, age group,
education level of the household head and district of residence were found, with statistical
evidence, to be associated with treatment of reported malaria/fever with antimalarials. Background
The World Health Organisation currently recommends the use of artemisinin-based
combination drugs for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in high malaria endemic
regions. However, comprehensive understanding of factors affecting treatment of malaria
with antimalarials is lacking in many rural communities in Africa. This study seeks to test
the following hypothesise:
1. That socio-economic and demographic factors at the household level affect treatment
of self reported malaria/fever with antimalarials in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji
valleys in Tanzania
2. Distance of a household to a health facility affects treatment of malaria/fever with
antimalarials in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji valleys in Tanzania.
Methods: Secondary data analysis of a cross- sectional household survey on antimalarials
carried out in 2005 in the Kilombero/Ulanga and Rufiji valleys in Tanzania. Georeferenced
health facilities and households’ datasets from the Rufiji and Ifakara
demographic surveillance systems sites were also used to estimate distance variables.
Results: Out of a total of 1433 participants who reported malaria/fever, 32% (95% CI:
29.29, 34.89) obtained treatment with antimalarials. Among them, 36% obtained treatment
with Sulfadoxine Pyreminthamine (SP) as a monotherapy and 44% treated malaria/fever
with SP and Artesunate as a combination therapy.8% used quinine while 11 % used
Amodiaquine and Artesunate. The remaining 1% used chloroquine. After adjusting for all
confounding variables in a multivariate survey logistic regression model, age group,
education level of the household head and district of residence were found, with statistical
evidence, to be associated with treatment of reported malaria/fever with antimalarials. Conclusion:
The results suggest that participant’s age, education level of household head and location
of district are important predictors of treatment of malaria with antimalarials in rural
Tanzania. The implementation of any antimalarials policy in Tanzania would therefore,
require a careful consideration of these factors.
Description
Keywords
antimalarials, malaria/fever, Tanzania