COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF ARTESUNATE AMODIAQUINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA IN ANAKYIN IN THE CAPE COAST METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The most important drawback to successful control of malaria is the development of resistance by Plasmodium species to commonly used antimalarial drugs. To enhance effective treatment, many African nations including Ghana changed its malaria treatment policy from monotherapy to combination treatment with Artesunate + Amodiaquine (AS+AQ). The policy specifies AS+AQ as the first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. There has been public outcry due to the perceived side effects of the drug. The study was carried out to assess community’s perceptions of AS+ AQ for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The study was carried out in Anakyin community in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to assess views of the respondents on AS+ AQ. A quantitative descriptive design was employed using semi-structured interviews. Two hundred and sixty (260) people out of the total population of 860 were interviewed using Kirk scale. Adherence to the three-day treatment regimen of AS+AQ was very high (81.5%) in this study and 60.4% of the respondents believed artesunate + amodiaquine is good. Respondents were of the view that AS+AQ is efficacious in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. However, the respondents reported some side effects (drowsiness and weakness). Further, there is high awareness among the respondents of the new policy. It is however recommended that, there must be an intensive education to disabuse the minds of the general public on the perceived adverse effects of AS+ AQ.