TITLE:
Quality of Management of Severe Malaria Cases in Children under Five: A Case of Four Health Facilities in the Littoral Department in Benin
AUTHORS:
Gloria Ayivi-Vinz, Ghislain E. Sopoh, Charles Sossa, Chabi Olaniran Alphonse Biaou, Abdou-Rahim Ouro-Koura, Michel Makoutodé, Edgar-Marius Ouendo
KEYWORDS:
Severe Malaria, Case Management, Protocol Observance, Quality of Care, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.10 No.4,
July
31,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Benin republic is a sub-Saharan African country
endemic to malaria caused by Plasmodium
falciparum. To reduce the death rate due to this scourge, it is essential
to ensure quality care, especially for children under five years who are the
most vulnerable. The main objective of this study is to assess the quality of
severe malaria case management in patients under five years. Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was performed in health facilities in Cotonou city, the
economic capital of Benin Republic. Study sample included 205 suspected cases
of severe malaria among children aged under five years, in four health
facilities. In each of hospitals, all children under five years with severe
malaria presumption were enrolled in the study. Quality was assessed through
five components: diagnosis, treatment, patient
monitoring, counselling/advice, and patient’s follow-up. Based on the Benin Republic’s malaria case management
standard protocol, the assessment criteria of each component were defined. Results: The sex ratio was 1.25 boys to a girl. The median of
hospitalisation duration was 3 days with first quartile (Q1) = 2 and third
quartile (Q3) = 5. Among 205 severe malaria cases included, 157 (76.59%) were
not managed in accordance with the requirements of the national protocol of
malaria case management. The different components of cases management are not
all implemented during the care of patients. Conclusion: There is a need for training to health workers on
implementation of severe malaria in children under 5 years protocol. Also,
there is a need for investigation about factors associated with malaria
protocol implementation.