Management of malaria in Togolese communities
Gbadoé, A.D.; Ladé, A.; Koffi, S.; Morgah, K.
Bulletin de la Societe de Pathologie Exotique 99(3): 194-197
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9085 PMID: 16983825 Document Number: 199147
The aim of this study was to collect community-based data regarding the prevention and home management of malaria for use in future assessment of "Roll Back Malaria". The study was carried out in 3 districts of Togo. Mothers were surveyed regarding the quality of home management of uncomplicated malaria that their children (n=951, aged <5 years) were receiving. Fathers from 597 households were surveyed about the use of mosquito bed nets, while 246 women were interviewed about the malaria prevention during pregnancy. Home management of children under treatment was appropriate in only 38.1% of cases, and adherence to antimalarial therapy was observed in only 35.4%. Mosquito nets were used in 30.5% of households, and only 16.5% of these nets were treated with insecticides. Only 22.7% of children aged <5 years slept under mosquito nets. Majority (80%) of the women made at least one antenatal visit, and 74.4% received regular malaria chemoprophylaxis. Further efforts should be made in Togo to increase the quality of home management of malaria and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets.