A cross-sectional survey to assess the effect of rapid scale-up of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on feasibility and acceptability among nomadic pastoralist populations in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

Authors: Anthony Nuwa, Chukwudi A Nnaji, Musa Odongo, Richard Kajubi, T Kyagulanyi, Jane I Nabakooza, David S Odong, Maureen Nakirunda, Godfrey Magumba, Jane Achan, Christian Rassi, John B Bwanika, James K Tibenderana, Damian Rutazaana, Jimmy Opigo

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention remains a feasible and acceptable malaria control intervention when implemented at scale among all stakeholders at the national, district and community level, including nomadic pastoralist communities.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine (SPAQ) is recommended for children at risk of severe malaria living in areas of seasonal transmission, including the Karamoja subregion in northeastern Uganda. SMC was introduced to the Karamoja subregion in phases, starting with two districts in 2021 and expanding to all nine districts by 2023. This study compared the feasibility of SMC before and after scale-up by evaluating coverage, quality and acceptability during SMC rounds in 2021 and 2024. 

This poster was presented at the ASTMH 2025 Annual Meeting, held in Toronto, Canada on 9-13 November 2025.