TITLE:
Level of Implementation of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Children Aged between 3 to 59 Months in Koza, Far North Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Djike Puepi Fokam Yolande, Kamo Selangai Helene, Noukeu Njinkui Diomede, Missota Tchahe Mariane Gabrielle, Wandji Yanelle, Ganni Wele Wilfried, Tedongfo Nicolas, Verla Vincent Sisyi
KEYWORDS:
Level of Implementation, Children, Parents/Tutors, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention, Koza
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.5,
September
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is a strategy
put in place by World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight against malaria in
zones of high seasonal malaria transmission since the year 2012. This strategy
has been implemented in the Far North and North regions of Cameroon since the
year 2016. Despite the implementation of this program the number of cases and
deaths from seasonal malaria among the under 5 seems to be rising in Koza
health area. Objective: To determine the level of implementation of the SMC Program and its impact on the mortality of
children aged 03 to 59 months during the season of high transmission. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional and 7-years retrospective study. Data was surveyed for 3 months in 3 health areas of Koza health area. Data
were collected and typed in Kobo collect, cleaned in MS Excel and analyzed in
SPSS version 25 to come out with descriptive statistics. Results: Among
the 172 households, female children were mostly represented 99 (57%) The age
group mostly represented was 2 years. The population knowledge on SMC’s overall score was above average. The overall
coverage rate (4 cycles) was 84% from interviewed parents and 67.5% from SMC
cards. More than 23% of children experienced at least one side effect with the
most common being vomiting (72%). The population’s overall impression of the program was good at 85%.
The trends SMC coverage showed a sinusoidal fluctuation from 2015 to 2021, 2016
to 2019 and 2020 to 2021. Conclusion: The coverage rate of SMC was high
thus the program is well implemented.