Phase one of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study to assess the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of implementing seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Nampula Province, Mozambique

BackgroundSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a highly effective intervention for malaria prevention in high burden areas with seasonal transmission, historically implemented in the Sahel. Mozambique contributes to 4% of global malaria cases. Malaria Consortium, in partnership with the National Malaria Control Programme, conducted a two-year phased SMC study in Nampula province using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) plus amodiaquine (AQ), or SPAQ, in children under five. Phase one results presented here highlight acceptability, feasibility, and protective effect of SMC.MethodsA pragmatic type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design was adopted, using mixed methods. The study was conducted in three districts, utilizing: (1) non-randomized controlled trial reporting on malaria incidence; (2) drug resistance molecular marker study reporting on resistance marker changes over time; (3) coverage and quality assessment on the SMC distribution; and (4) a qualitative acceptability and feasibility assessment with stakeholders.ResultsChildren who received SMC had 86% (hazard ratio 0.14, 95% CI 0.09-0.24) lower hazards of developing clinical malaria during the peak transmission season compared with children in the comparison district. Prevalence of SP molecular markers associated with resistance was high at baseline (K540E 66.1%). SMC achieved high coverage of eligible children over four cycles (87.7%, 95% CI 83.9-90.8%). Qualitative results indicate SMC was positively accepted by the targeted community.ConclusionsResults suggest that SMC was effective at preventing clinical malaria, did not significantly impact resistance profile, and was feasible and acceptable in the context. Phase two will assess SMC impact in reducing malaria incidence and if chemoprevention efficacy of SPAQ is impacted by drug resistance and drug concentrations.