Evaluation of the impact of one round of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on resistance markers associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine in Karamoja, Uganda, March 2022

Authors: Anthony Nuwa, Craig Bonnington, Kevin Baker, Musa Odongo, Tonny Kyagulanyi, Jane Nabakooza, Adoke Yeka, David Salandini Odong, Jimmy Opigo, Maureen Naakirunda, Godfrey Magumba, Victor Asua, Madeleine Marasciulo-Rice, Christian Rassi, Damian Rutazaana, Denis Rubahika, James Tibenderana

One round of SMC with SPAQ does not appear to select for an observable change in resistance markers for SP and AQ.

Malaria remains a priority public health concern in several sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has been found to prevent approximately 75 percent of malaria episodes in children, including severe episodes, and can prevent deaths. However, due to the high prevalence of markers associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine (SPAQ) resistance, SMC has not been implemented at scale in East and southern Africa. This study assessed the impact of one round of SMC using SPAQ on the potential emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria in Karamoja, which is located in northeastern Uganda. Malaria Consortium collaborated with the Ministry of Health to pilot five monthly rounds of SMC using SPAQ between May and September 2021.