Abstract | BACKGROUND: Zambia has taken lead in implementing integrated malaria control so as to attain the National Health Strategic Plan goal of "reducing malaria incidence by 75% and under-five mortality due to malaria by 20% by the year 2010". The strategic interventions include the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, improving diagnostic capacity (both microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests), use of intermittent presumptive treatment for pregnant women, research, monitoring and evaluation, and behaviour change communication. Financial barriers to access have been removed by providing free malaria prevention and treatment services. METHODS: Data involving all under-five children reporting at the health facility in the first quarter of 2008 was evaluated prospectively. Malaria morbidity, causes of non- malaria fever, prescription patterns treatment patterns and referral cases were evaluated RESULTS: CONCLUSION:
Malaria related OPD visits have reduced at Chongwe rural health facility. The reduction in health facility malaria cases has led to an increase in diagnoses of respiratory infections. These findings have implications for the management of non- malaria fevers in children under the age of five years.
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Authors | Pascalina Chanda, Busiku Hamainza, Susan Mulenga, Victor Chalwe, Charles Msiska, Elizabeth Chizema-Kawesha |
Journal | Malaria journal
(Malar J)
Vol. 8
Pg. 49
(Mar 17 2009)
ISSN: 1475-2875 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 19292919
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antimalarials
(therapeutic use)
- Child, Preschool
- Delivery of Health Care
- Drug Prescriptions
- Female
- Fever
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Humans
- Infant
- Malaria, Falciparum
(drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Male
- Morbidity
- Mosquito Control
(organization & administration)
- Plasmodium falciparum
(isolation & purification)
- Prospective Studies
- Referral and Consultation
(statistics & numerical data)
- Rural Health Services
(statistics & numerical data)
- Rural Population
- Zambia
(epidemiology)
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