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.