Reducing malaria morbidity in infants through intermittent preventive treatment in Nigeria
Published:
Resources: Project brief
This study is assessing the clinical effectiveness and operational feasibility of Intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi) in Nigeria. It aims to generate the necessary evidence to support the intervention’s uptake in the national health policy.
To reduce malaria morbidity and mortality in infants, the World Health Organization recommends IPTi with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in areas with moderate to high malaria transmission. This entails administering a full therapeutic course of SP through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) — implemented in Nigeria by the NPHCDA — at intervals corresponding to children’s routine vaccination schedules.
This study includes two implementation models: i) the rollout of IPTi through the EPI at 10 weeks, 14 weeks and nine months, as recommended by WHO; and ii) the rollout of IPTi using an additional two touchpoints at seven and 11 months to optimise protection. The control arm in the study will receive standard EPI care only.
