Adherence of healthcare providers to WHO management guidelines for malaria in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Adherence to malaria treatment guidelines is pivotal to the management and control, and ultimately the actualisation of the eradication agenda in Africa. This study assessed malaria management practices among health care givers in Ijebu Ode community in Ogun State, Nigeria.Methodology: Structured questionnaires measuring treatment practices were administered to consenting health care givers in the study area. Responses were scored and compared to national and WHO guidelines for malaria management to measure practice.Results: A total of 46 health care givers made up of mostly doctors (54.3%) were enrolled into the study. Presumptive diagnosis (90.5%) was the most reported form of diagnosis while Arthemether-Lumefantrine (91.0%) was the most prescribed drug for treating uncomplicated malaria. Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (85.0%) was mostly recommended to pregnant women for intermittent preventive therapy (IPT). Standard dose of SP is given at least twice during the pregnancy. The lack of necessary equipment was reported by 70% respondents as the reason for current management practices. Mean practice score in the study was 5.28±1.8 out of a total obtainable score of 8. Only 59% of study respondents had good practice based on our set threshold of 6 practice points.Conclusion: This study has shown fair practice among healthcare officers in the study area but also reveals that 41% of the healthcare providers are yet to meet up with the minimum standard practice for the management of malaria. This therefore necessitates the need for renewed efforts such as education of health care givers to ensure better compliance with guidelines.Key Words: Malaria, Malaria Management & Control, Malaria Treatment, World Health Organisation.