Assessment of antimalarial uses in children less than 2 years

In Tanzania, Malaria remains a serious health problem, followed by HIV/AIDS. Malaria is number one cause of morbidity and mortality in Tanzania with estimated 16 million cases per year resulting in about 100,000 deaths of which 39,000 occur in children under 5 years of age. According to WHO [2002] around 50% of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, while 50% of patients fail to take their medicines appropriately. The success of antimalarial interventions requires appropriate coordination of efforts, as well as acceptance at the community and individual levels. Numerous barriers to adequate malaria control programs in children less than two years of age now exist, including no proper use of standard Treatment Guideline [STG]. ln this study we assessed patterns and factors influencing prescribing of antimalarial for children less than two years of age with the aim of uncovering existing gaps in adherence to malaria treatment guidelines This was retrospective study in which treatment of malaria in children less than two years was reviewed by going through patients' files. The assessment was restricted to within the previous two years so as to capture the real practice after malaria treatment policy change. On the other hand factors influencing prescribing of antimalarial to children less than two years of age were assessed by using a questionnaire administered to clinicians in the visited health facilities. This study intends to report the situation of antimalarial use in the stated age group after malaria policy change so that appropriate intervention can be undertaken