Abstract
BackgroundAfter adoption of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS/AQ) as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria by the malaria control programme, this study was designed to assess the availability of anti-malarial drugs, treatment practices and acceptability of the new protocol by health professionals, in the urban health facilities and drugstores of Yaoundé city, Cameroon.MethodsBetween April and August 2005, retrospective and current information was collected by consulting registers and interviewing health practitioners in urban health facilities using a structured questionnaire.ResultsIn 2005, twenty-seven trade-named drugs have been identified in drugstores; quinine tablets (300 mg) were the most affordable anti-malarial drugs. Chloroquine was restricted to food market places and no generic artemisinin derivative was available in public health centres. In public health facilities, 13.6% of health professionals were informed about the new guidelines; 73.5% supported the use of AS-AQ as first-line therapy. However, 38.6% apprehended its use due to adverse events attributed to amodiaquine. Malaria treatment was mainly based on the diagnosis of fever. Quinine (300 mg tablets) was the most commonly prescribed first-line anti-malarial drug in adults (44.5%) and pregnant women (52.5%). Artequin® was the most cited artemsinin-based combination therapy (ACT) (9.9%). Medical sales representatives were the main sources of information on anti-malarials.ConclusionThe use of AS/AQ was not implemented in 2005 in Yaoundé, despite the wide range of anti-malarials and trade-named artemisinin derivatives available. Nevertheless, medical practitioners will support the use of this combination, when it is available in a paediatric formulation, at an affordable price. Training, information and participation of health professionals in decision-making is one of the key elements to improve adherence to new protocol guidelines. This baseline information will be useful to monitor progress in ACT implementation in Cameroon.
Highlights
After adoption of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS/AQ) as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria by the malaria control programme, this study was designed to assess the availability of anti-malarial drugs, treatment practices and acceptability of the new protocol by health professionals, in the urban health facilities and drugstores of Yaoundé city, Cameroon
Amodiaquine remained effective in the entire country with a failure rate estimate of approximately 4%, the drug was used as first-line antimalarial therapy from 2002 to 2004
The present study reports anti-malarial drug prescribing practices of medical doctors and nurses, in urban health facilities in Yaoundé city, central province of Cameroon, and analyses attitudes and practices one year after new treatment guidelines based on AS/AQ were approved by Cameroonian authorities
Summary
After adoption of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS/AQ) as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria by the malaria control programme, this study was designed to assess the availability of anti-malarial drugs, treatment practices and acceptability of the new protocol by health professionals, in the urban health facilities and drugstores of Yaoundé city, Cameroon. In sub-Saharan Africa, chloroquine has been the base-line drug for the treatment of mild malaria cases, followed by sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine as the cheapest second-line drug. Between 1997 and 2004, twenty-five surveys were conducted in Cameroon in order to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of first-line and second-line anti-malarial treatments, using the standardized protocol of the World Health Organization (WHO). Amodiaquine remained effective in the entire country with a failure rate estimate of approximately 4%, the drug was used as first-line antimalarial therapy from 2002 to 2004
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
