Pathogens (Nov 2023)

Adherence to Anti-Malarial Treatment in Malaria Endemic Areas of Bangladesh

  • Mohammad Sharif Hossain,
  • Mohammad Abdul Matin,
  • Nur-E Naznin Ferdous,
  • Anamul Hasan,
  • Saiful Arefeen Sazed,
  • Amit Kumer Neogi,
  • Sumit Chakma,
  • Md. Atiqul Islam,
  • Afsana Alamgir Khan,
  • Md. Ekramul Haque,
  • Shayla Islam,
  • Md. Nazmul Islam,
  • Wasif Ali Khan,
  • Md. Akramul Islam,
  • Rashidul Haque,
  • Mohammad Shafiul Alam

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12121392
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 12
p. 1392

Abstract

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Ensuring adherence to antimalarial treatment is crucial for achieving a radical cure and elimination of malaria, especially in hard-to-reach areas. We conducted this study to assess the current scenario of drug adherence in four endemic sub-districts of Bangladesh. Among 110 enrolled participants, 70% were mono-infected with Plasmodium falciparum and the remaining 30% with P. vivax. The overall treatment adherence frequency was 92.7% (95% CI: 83.0–96.3%). A total of eight participants were found to be nonadherent to treatment and all of them were from Bandarban. Level of nonadherence was equally observed in two age groups: 11–17 and 18+ years. However, male participants (n = 6) were found to be more nonadherent than females (n = 2). Among 7.3% with nonadherence to treatment, a single participant with P. falciparum mono-infection refused to take medication and became nonadherent. Remaining participants stated that they were feeling well and going to work, thus leaving treatment course uncompleted. Although overall compliance with malaria medication seems good, a gradual increase in noncompliance to P. vivax malaria treatment suggests that the National Malaria Elimination Program must be enhanced and monitored to fulfil the projected malaria elimination goal before 2030 from Bangladesh.

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