SMC research

Between 2020-21, SMC was implemented for the first time in Mozambique, in Nampula province. Implementation research with mixed-methods was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing SMC in this new context. Drug efficacy and impact on malaria morbidity and mortality will also be explored. 

Our study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of integrating vitamin A distribution with SMC administration. It is relevant in the context of the global discourse on sustainability and health systems strengthening, as integrated delivery of public health interventions has the potential to leverage synergies across programmes. 

Our study explores the feasibility and acceptability of expanding SMC to five monthly treatment cycles in a health district where the rainy season typically exceeds four months. The study feeds into the global policy debate around varying timing and frequency of SMC implementation to maximise impact.

We are planning to pilot the use of a spatial intelligence tool called Reveal in Sokoto, Nigeria. Spatial intelligence tools use satellite imagery to identify residential structures, which has the potential to improve campaign planning, delivery and evaluation. In particular, we are interested in evaluating whether Reveal enables community distributors to collect more accurate, complete and timely coverage data. For this project, we are partnering with Akros, a company that developed a precursor to Reveal called mSpray® for use in indoor residual spraying. 

Our study seeks to understand common barriers to SMC delivery according to protocol, in particular around community distributors’ ability to determine age eligibility criteria. It also explores the acceptability of extending SMC to children under ten among different types of stakeholders, which is relevant in the context of the global policy debate about extending the age range of SMC beyond children under five. 

Our mixed-methods, cross-sectional study aims to explore CDs’ adherence to IPC practices for SMC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria.