Enhancing cohort tracking for seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns using unique identifiers in Nigeria

Authors: Olabisi Ogunmola, Jennifer Chukwumrije, Ebenezer Ikechukwu, Elvis Isere, Chibuzo Oguoma, Olusola Oresanya

Strengthening community distributors’ adherence to unique identifiers, alongside caregiver engagement, enhances the efficiency of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), reduces duplication and improves SMC coverage across cycles.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a WHO-recommended intervention for children at risk of severe malaria living in areas of seasonal transmission. To optimise the effectiveness of SMC, however, effective monitoring and evaluation are needed. Generating unique identifiers (UIDs) for SMC-eligible children during registration could facilitate cohort monitoring by enabling programme teams to track children longitudinally. This study evaluated the use of digitally generated UIDs during the fourth and fifth SMC cycles in seven states (Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau and Sokoto) where UIDs had not been previously used.

This poster was presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, held on 9-13 November in Toronto, Canada.