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- Title
Adoption of the new antimalarial drug policy in Tanzania--a cross-sectional study in the community.
- Authors
Eriksen, Jaran; Nsimba, Stephen E. D.; Minzi, Omary M. S.; Sanga, Anku J.; Petzold, Max; Gustafsson, Lars L.; Warsame, Marian Y.; Tomson, Göran; Tomson, Göran
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To assess the diffusion of the change of first line antimalarial drug from chloroquine (CQ) to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) at household level in a rural district of Tanzania less than a year after the policy implementation.<bold>Methods: </bold>Caretakers in 729 households were interviewed on knowledge of the new policy, home stocking of antimalarials, home-treatment practices of children younger than 5 years with fever, health-seeking behaviour and experience of SP. SP and CQ levels in blood were analysed from 328 children younger than 5 years in the households. Twelve focus group discussions (FGD) were performed with mothers, fathers and health workers.<bold>Results: </bold>About 51% of the population knew that SP was the first line antimalarial. Only 8% of mothers stocked antimalarials, and only 4% stated self-treatment as the first action. We estimated that 84% of the children who had had fever during the last 4 weeks sought care at public health facilities. SP was detectable in 18% of the total child population and in 32% of those with reported fever, CQ in only 5% and 7%, respectively. The FGDs revealed negative perceptions of SP and fear of severe adverse reactions with mass media reported as key informant.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The policy had diffused to the communities in the sense that CQ had been changed to SP, which was well known as first line treatment. Moreover, there was a reported dramatic change from self-treatment with CQ to seeking care at public health facilities where SP was given under observation.
- Subjects
PHARMACEUTICAL policy; CHILD care; PUBLIC health; MEDICAL care; FOCUS groups; MEDIA buying services
- Publication
Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2005, Vol 10, Issue 10, p1038
- ISSN
1360-2276
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-3156.2005.01486.x