Case management of malaria fever in Cambodia: results from national anti-malarial outlet and household surveys

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Littrell Megan, Gatakaa Hellen, Phok Sochea, Allen Henrietta, Yeung Shunmay, Chuor Char, Dysoley Lek, Socheat Duong, Spiers Angus, White Chris, Shewchuk Tanya, Chavasse Desmond, O'Connell Kathryn A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011
• Subjects: Malaria; Cambodia; ACT; artemisinin monotherapy; diagnosis; treatment-seeking behaviour; public sector; private sector; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-328; https://doaj.org/article/37b1847304c34508a2894e27d799a298

Abstract Background Continued progress towards global reduction in morbidity and mortality due to malaria requires scale-up of effective case management with artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT). The first case of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum was documented in western Cambodia. Spread of artemisinin resistance would threaten recent gains in global malaria control. As such, the anti-malarial market and malaria case management practices in Cambodia have global significance. Methods Nationally-representative household and outlet surveys were conducted in 2009 among areas in Cambodia with malaria risk. An anti-malarial audit was conducted among all public and private outlets with the potential to sell anti-malarials. Indicators on availability, price and relative volumes sold/distributed were calculated across types of anti-malarials and outlets. The household survey collected information about management of recent "malaria fevers." Case management in the public versus private sector, and anti-malarial treatment based on malaria diagnostic testing were examined. Results Most public outlets (85%) and nearly half of private pharmacies, clinics and drug stores stock ACT. Oral artemisinin monotherapy was found in pharmacies/clinics (9%), drug stores (14%), mobile providers (4%) and grocery stores (2%). Among total anti-malarial volumes sold/distributed nationally, 6% are artemisinin monotherapies and 72% are ACT. Only 45% of people with recent "malaria fever" reportedly receive a diagnostic test, and the most common treatment acquired is a drug cocktail containing no identifiable anti-malarial. A self-reported positive diagnostic test, particularly when received in the public sector, improves likelihood of receiving anti-malarial treatment. Nonetheless, anti-malarial treatment of reportedly positive cases is low among people who seek treatment exclusively in the public (61%) and private (42%) sectors. Conclusions While data on the anti-malarial market shows favourable progress towards replacing ...