Integrating nutrition assessments and seasonal malaria chemoprevention: Results from a mixed‐methods feasibility study in Guinea

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has become a critical intervention for malaria prevention and control. There is a growing interest to generate evidence that health campaigns such as SMC can be leveraged for integration or co‐administration of other health efforts such as nutritional supplements, immunizations, or vitamin A.ObjectiveWe conducted a pilot study to assess whether nutrition assessments could be integrated into existing SMC programming in two districts in Guinea.MethodsOf 106,480 children under 5 years of age (CU5) who received sulfadoxine‐pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine as part of SMC by community drug distributors (CDDs), 2210 had their mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) assessed by CDD supervisors.ResultsOf these, 177 (8.0%) had a MUAC < 125 mm and were therefore classified as acutely malnourished; 161 CU5 were referred to health facilities for follow‐up. Importantly, no drop in SMC programmatic coverage was observed in districts conducting MUAC on top of SMC. Key informant interviews with district officials and focus group discussions with CDD supervisors showed a generally positive effect of integrating MUAC into SMC, although CDD supervisors had concerns about workload with added responsibilities of MUAC assessments.ConclusionIntegrating other health interventions with SMC is accepted—and indeed welcomed—by the population and health workers, and does not result in a drop in SMC programmatic coverage.