Perception and social acceptability of the extension of chemoprevention of seasonal malaria in the health districts of Damagaram Takaya and Takeita in Niger

Objective: To assess the perception of the extension of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and its social acceptability.
Methods: The data used in this study comes from a qualitative survey commissioned by The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and conducted in October 2022 in the Damagaram Takaya and Takeita Health Districts, Zinder region. Four focus groups were carried out per health district with members of the Health Management Committee (COGES), distributors, fathers of families benefiting from the extension of the SMC and mothers (baby-sitters). In addition to the focus groups, individual interviews were conducted with health staff, authorities and other stakeholders involved in implementing malaria control policies. The data collected was transcribed and then summarised in a matrix to serve as a basis for this work.
Results: The population was aware of the extension of the SMC and was in favour of receiving it again. The extension of the SMC is accepted, but the side effects of taking the drugs are the main obstacle to the success of the operation. In practice, the 2nd and 3rd doses are not always administered as scheduled, either because they are forgotten or because they are kept in reserve for future treatment. As far as the communication system is concerned, town criers and health workers are the most effective means of reaching the population.
Conclusion: The extension of the SMC is well received by the community. However, to achieve its objectives, means must be found to monitor the administration of the 2nd and 3rd doses to children. Similarly, its success depends on the number of teams and distribution days now that the target is almost doubled.