Malaria is one of the most public health problems in Eritrea with 67% of
the population living in areas at risk. In Eritrea, three hospitals were
selected from the three Zobas considered being at significant malaria risk.
Blood samples were collected from the patients suffer from malaria disease and
the samples were diagnosis using giemsa staining. After conformation and
identify the parasitic species, the patients were treated with the first line
treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria is Artesunate + Amodiaquine (AS +
AQ). The second line treatment for treatment failures is oral Quinine. The
treatment for severe malaria is parenteral Quinine. Treatment of malaria during
pregnancy is Quinine. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic
efficacy of the antimalarial drug regimen adopted since 2007 in the country.
The drugs were administered following the routine clinical treatment and
protocols of the hospitals. All patients who were admitted or visited the
hospitals with malaria cases during the study period were included. There were
a total of 131 malaria related cases observed in the three hospitals. Adequlla
Hospital accounts 24.4 %, (32) Keren Hospital 23.6 % (31) and Gash Barka Referral
Hospital 52.0 % (68). Out of the total 131 malaria cases 26.7% (35) were
females and 73.3 (96) were males. In terms of age groups patients in the age
group 0-5 accounts 3% (4), age group 6-20 37% (48), and age group >20 60%
(79). During the study period there was no treatment failure observed in the
three hospitals, all treated patients either with Artesunate + Amodiaquine
or/and Quinine showed positive response as it was confirmed by microscopic
diagnosis and clinical observation. This finding, as a baseline report
envisages further assessment and monitoring activities all over the country. -
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