Single low-dose primaquine for blocking transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria - a proposed model-derived age-based regimen for sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: In 2012, the World Health Organization recommended blocking the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum with single low-dose primaquine (SLDPQ, target dose 0.25 mg base/kg body weight), without testing for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd), when treating patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. We sought to develop an age-based SLDPQ regimen that would be suitable for sub-Saharan Africa.

Monitoring the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Malawian children.

Background: The resistance of malaria parasites to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in 2007 led to the Malawi Ministry of Health changing to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) as first-line for uncomplicated malaria treatment. This study determined the efficacy and safety of AL for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria among six to 59 months old Malawian children.

Methods: This was a prospective study of children six to 59 months old treated with AL after presenting with uncomplicated malaria in the six health facilities in Malawi.

Comparison of anaemia and parasitaemia as indicators of malaria control in household and EPI-health facility surveys in Malawi.

Background: The World Health Organization has recommended that anaemia be used as an additional indicator to monitor malaria burden at the community level as malaria interventions are nationally scaled up. To date, there are no published evaluations of this recommendation.

Methods: To evaluate this recommendation, a comparison of anaemia and parasitaemia among 6-30 month old children was made during two repeated cross-sectional household (HH) and health facility (HF) surveys in six districts across Malawi at baseline (2005) and in a follow-up survey (2008) after a scale up of malaria control interventions.

Integration of insecticide-treated net distribution into routine immunization services in Malawi: a pilot study.

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of distributing insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) through routine immunization services, to increase ownership and use of ITNs among high-risk groups, whereas maintaining or improving timely completion of routine vaccinations.

Methods: Free ITNs were provided with timely completion of routine vaccinations in two intervention districts in southern Malawi for 15 months. Cross-sectional baseline and follow-up household surveys were conducted in the two intervention districts and one control district.

Developing national treatment policy for falciparum malaria in Africa: Malawi experience.

The emergence and spread across sub-Saharan Africa of Plasmodium falciparum resistant to the inexpensive antimalarials chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has worsened the health and hampered the socio-economic development of affected countries, a situation that calls for urgent review of malaria treatment policies in these countries. The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative promotes strong partnerships for implementing effective malaria control measures. The development of clear policies to guide such implementation at country level offers a way of assessing the achievement of set milestones in this collaborative venture.

Manslaughter by fake artesunate in Asia--will Africa be next?

Fake artesunate could compromise the hope that artemisinin-based combination therapy offers for malaria control in Africa and Asia.