Availability, Management and Use of Priority Life-Saving Medicines for Under-Five Children in Two Health Districts in Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Anta Tal-Dia,Oumou Khaïry Kane,Alioune Badara Tall,Abou Ba,Adama Faye,Oumar Bassoum,Ibrahima Seck

doi:10.4236/health.2020.122017

Abstract

Under-five mortality remains a major concern in the world and in Senegal. It is mainly due to preventable and treatable diseases with priority life-saving medicines for under-five children. This study evaluated the availability, management and use of these drugs in two health districts in Senegal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the health districts of Guediawaye and Pete from 01 November 2018 to 31 January 2019. The health district of Guediawaye is in the region hosting the Senegalese capital while that of Pete is located in the region of Saint Louis, northern Senegal. Nine drugs that can prevent and treat malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition were selected. An inventory form and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data that was analyzed with SPSS and expressed as a percentage and average. Drug availability was 50.4% and 54.3% in Guediawaye and in Pete, respectively. Average stock-out duration in the past three months was estimated at 22.6 and 26 days, respectively. The drug management was marked, on the one hand, by a good availability of stock cards in the two districts with proportions equal to 100% and 94.1%, respectively, and on the other hand, by the presence of expired stocks in Pete (12.2%). About 79% and 88% of prescribers reported prescribing the basket drug, respectively. These results show that access to priority life-saving medicines for children remains a challenge. Measures to be taken should include improving the distribution channels and training of health professionals. Further studies should be conducted in other health districts to better understand the barriers to access to child health services.

Highlights

In 2017, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5.4 million under-five children died, equal to under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 39 deaths per 1000 live births
Zinc 20 mg dispersible tablet (DT), oral rehydration salt (ORS), vitamin A 200,000 IU capsules, artemether/lumefantrine combination DT (ACT) tablets and ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) were more available with proportions ranging from 84.6% to 92.3% (Table 1)
Access to priority life-saving medicines for children remains a challenge in Guediawaye and Pete

Summary

Introduction

In 2017, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5.4 million under-five children died, equal to under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 39 deaths per 1000 live births. This rate is higher in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with 76 deaths per 1000 live births [1]. In Senegal, this indicator is 56 deaths per 1000 live births [2]. More than one out of every two deaths is due to diseases that can be treated with high-quality and low-cost drugs [4]. The main causes are preventable communicable diseases [5]. 52% of these children died of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria [6]. U5MR is directly or indirectly related to malnutrition in 45% of cases [6]

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Discussion

Conclusion