Scientific Publication

Management of malaria in children with fever in rural Sierra Leone in relation to the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak

author(s) Moses, F.L.. - Tamang, D. - Denisiuk, O. - Dumbuya, U. - Hann, K. - Zachariah, R.
from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
permalink open
themes
regions
  • Northern Europe
  • Europe
  • World
  • Western Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
citation

Moses FL, Tamang D, Denisiuk O, Dumbuya U, Hann K, Zachariah R. Management of malaria in children with fever in rural Sierra Leone in relation to the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak. Public Health Action. 2017;7(1):22–6

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

Setting 68 primary health facilities, Koinadugu District, rural Sierra Leone. Objectives Sierra Leone, a country with one of the highest burdens of malaria, was severely affected by the 2014–2015 Ebola virus disease outbreak. In under-five children, the authors compared trends in the completeness of malaria reports sent to the district office during the pre-Ebola, Ebola and post-Ebola periods, including the number of children with reported fever, malaria diagnostic testing performed and treatment for malaria initiated with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Design A cross-sectional study. Conclusion Pre-existing gaps in malaria reporting worsened after the Ebola outbreak. Reassuringly, malaria testing matched fever cases, although only half of all confirmed cases received treatment during the outbreak, possibly explained by outbreak-related operational difficulties. These findings could be useful to guide health systems strengthening and recovery. This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)

Open original