• Login
  • Help Guide
View Item 
  •   JOOUST IR Home
  • Research Papers
  • School of Health Sciences
  • View Item
  •   JOOUST IR Home
  • Research Papers
  • School of Health Sciences
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Factors associated with non-adherence to Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) to malaria in a rural population from holoendemic region of western Kenya

Thumbnail
View/Open
Ayodo_Factors associated with non adherence to ACT.pdf (244.9Kb)
Publication Date
2012-06-24
Author
Onyango, Elizabeth O.
Ayodo, George
Watsierah, Carren A
Were, Tom
Okumu, Wilson
Samuel, Anyona B.
Raballah, Evans
Okoth, John M.
Gumo, Sussy
Orinda, George O.
Ouma, Collins
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract/Overview

Background Over the years, reports implicate improper anti-malarial use as a major contributor of morbidity and mortality amongst millions of residents in malaria endemic areas, Kenya included. However, there are limited reports on improper use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) which is a first-line drug in the treatment of malaria in Kenya. Knowing this is important for ensured sustainable cure rates and also protection against the emergence of resistant malarial parasites. We therefore investigated ACT adherence level, factors associated with non-adherence and accessibility in households (n = 297) in rural location of Southeast Alego location in Siaya County in western Kenya. Methods ACT Adherence level was assessed with reference to the duration of treatment and number of tablets taken. Using systematic random sampling technique, a questionnaire was administered to a particular household member who had the most recent malaria episode (<2 weeks) and used ACT for cure. Parents/caretakers provided information for children aged <13 years. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were also conducted with healthcare providers and private dispensing chemist operators. Results Adherence to ACT prescription remained low at 42.1% and 57.9% among individuals above 13 and less than 13 years, respectively. Stratification by demographic and socio-economic characteristics in relation to ACT adherence revealed that age (P = 0.011), education level (P < 0.01), ability to read (P < 0.01) and household (HH) monthly income (P = 0.002) significantly affected the level of ACT adherence. Consistently, logistic regression model demonstrated that low age (OR, 0.571, 95% CI, 0.360-0.905; P = 0.017), higher education level (OR, 0.074; 95% CI 0.017-0.322; P < 0.01), ability to read (OR, 0.285, 95% CI, 0.167-0.486; P < 0.01) and higher income (Ksh. > 9000; OR, 0.340; 95% CI, 0.167-0.694; P = 0.003) were associated with ACT adherence. In addition, about 52.9% of the respondents reported that ACT was not always available at the source and that drug availability (P = 0.020) and distance to drug source (P < 0.01) significantly affected accessibility. Conclusions This study demonstrates that more than half of those who get ACT prescription do not take recommended dose and that accessibility is of concern. The findings of this study suggest a potential need to improve accessibility and also initiate programmatic interventions to encourage patient-centred care.

Subject/Keywords
ACT; P. falciparum; Malaria treatment
Publisher
BMC Infectious Diseases
Permalink
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-12-143
http://ir.jooust.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2835
Collections
  • School of Health Sciences [23]

Browse

All of JOOUST IRCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023-4 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
P.O. Box 210 - 40601
Bondo – Kenya

Useful Links

  • Report a problem with the content
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession/Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram

  • University Policies
  • Access to Information
  • JOOUST Quality Statement