EC Paediatrics

Malaria is a major health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, and the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) as a strategy to reduce malarial morbidity and mortality in under-fives. A Spot-check Survey (SCS) was introduced to ensure proper implementation of the SMC program in Adamawa and Yobe states. A structured questionnaire was administered to households during the three-day SCS, involving 875 and 721 households, respectively, during each cycle of the SMC of 2021. Mothers were the major respondents (87%), while fathers constituted only 13%. In Yobe State, the majority of respondents had Qur'anic education, while in Adamawa, 30% had Qur'anic education and 25% had post-primary school education. In both states, 36% of households had 2 under-five children per household, and 22% had 3 children, all of whom had SMC drugs. In Adamawa, 41% of households heard about the SMC campaign through health workers, followed by friends, neighbours, and spouses (39%). In Yobe state, voluntary community mobilizers contributed most significantly to SMC information dissemination (55%). The predominant reasons for accepting SMC drugs included the prevention of fever/malaria and government-coordinated free distribution. In Adamawa and Yobe, 88% and 94% of households have mosquito nets, but most nets are ineffective in preventing mosquito bites. Further training and re-training of health workers are needed to reduce malaria incidence in these communities. Spot check survey is a good monitoring tool that provides real-time information needed to keep a programme going in the right direction, it should be encouraged to continue.

 Keywords: World Health Organization (WHO); Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC); Spot-check Survey (SCS); Malaria; COVID-19 Infection

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