Caretakers’ self adherence to artemisinin lumefantrine in Nyando district, Kenya

Abstract

Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are effective and tolerant. However, the continuous development of <em>Plasmodium</em> strains resistance to cost effective monotherapies such as chloroquine and sulphadoxinepyrimethamine, remains the greatest setback to the global fight against malaria. Recent studies indicate that <em>Plasmodium</em> parasites are already becoming resistance to ACTs. A number of factors such as poor adherence can cause drug failure. Non-adherence is one of the major challenges facing optimal use of ACTs in real life settings. The objective of this study was to describe and identify factors associated with non-adherence to artemisinin lumefantrine (AL) among malaria-ailing caretakers seen in Nyando district hospital who also had children under the age of five ailing from malaria. From our study we concluded that the consents, follow-ups, strict adherence to the Kenya National Strategy for Control and Treatment of Malaria guidelines and availability of AL during the study may have influenced the observed high adherence rates. Therefore, it is critical to adequately stock health facilities with AL to enhance adherence. More specifically, healthcare providers need to educate malaria-ailing caretakers on the AL regimen as well as its possible side effects to promote adherence to the antimalarial at a household level.