TITLE:
Malaria treatment, compliance and cure in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
AUTHORS:
Mamta Dattani, George Kurien
KEYWORDS:
Malaria; Compliance; Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
7,
2014
ABSTRACT: Early diagnosis and
complete treatment are the most important components of the malaria control program, which have a direct bearing on prevention of mortality and reduction in the morbidity, therefore, follow-up of
the patient treatment is an important aspect of monitoring disease in the
community. Aims: To assess treatment
compliance among confirmed malaria cases in Gandhinagar District and to
determine the proportion of cure rate with complete treatment as per the
national drug policy. Study Variables: Exploratory-rural and urban areas;
outcome-compliance, cure rate. Analysis:
Percentage, proportions. Results: Compliance among 192 subjects under
the study conducted in 2008 i.e. confirmed that malaria cases were 88%
even after the introduction of 14 day therapy for “Plasmodium vivax” cases,
while 100% cure rate was observed on the follow-up till the 28th day among “P. vivax”
and “P. falciparum” cases which helped in reducing malaria incidence in the
rural area by 50% as compared to the preceding year of
the study. Conclusion: Follow-up of the treatment given to malaria patients has
enhanced compliance and cure rate, which in turn contributed towards interruption
of transmission. Therefore, a better cure rate through the administration of
effective antimalarial drugs as per the drug policy in combination with other
containment measures is the right strategy to keep morbidity and mortality due
to malaria under effective control.