Anti-malarial landscape in Myanmar: Results from a nationally representative survey among community health workers and the private sector outlets in 2015/2016

Louis Akulayi, Angela Alum, Andrew Andrada, Julie Archer, Ekundayo D. Arogundade, Erick Auko, Abdul R. Badru, Katie Bates, Paul Bouanchaud, Meghan Bruce, Peter Buyungo, Angela Camilleri, Emily Carter, Steven Chapman, Nikki Charman, Desmond Chavasse, Robyn Cyr, Kevin Duff, Gylsain Guedegbe, Keith EschIllah Evance, Anna Fulton, Hellen Gataaka, Tarryn Haslam, Emily Harris, Christine Hong, Catharine Hurley, Whitney Isenhower, Enid Kaabunga, Baraka D. Kaaya, Esther Kabui, Beth Kangwana, Lason Kapata, Henry Kaula, Gloria Kigo, Irene Kyomuhangi, Aliza Lailari, Sandra Lefevre, Megan Littrell, Greta Martin, Daniel Michael, Erik Monroe, Godefroid Mpanya, Felton Mpasela, Felix Mulama, Anne Musuva, Julius Ngigi, Edward Ngoma, Marjorie Norman, Bernard Nyauchi, Kathryn A. O'Connell, Carolyne Ochieng, Edna Ogada, Linda Ongwenyi, Ricki Orford, Saysana Phanalasy, Stephen Poyer, Justin Rahariniaina, Jacky Raharinjatovo, Lanto Razafindralambo, Solofo Razakamiadana, Christina Riley, John Rodgers, Andria Rusk, Tanya Sensalire, Simon Rusk, Julianna Smith, Phok Sochea, Tsione Solomon, Raymond Sudoi, Martine Esther Tassiba, Katherine Thanel, Rachel Thompson, Mitsuru Toda, Chinazo Toda, Cynthia Ujuju, Marie Alix Valensi, Vamsi Vasireddy, Cynthia Whitman, Cyprien Zinsou, Si Thu Thein, Hnin Su Su Khin, Aung Thi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: In 2015/2016, an ACTwatch outlet survey was implemented to assess the anti-malarial and malaria testing landscape in Myanmar across four domains (Eastern, Central, Coastal, Western regions). Indicators provide an important benchmark to guide Myanmar's new National Strategic Plan to eliminate malaria by 2030. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, which employed stratified cluster-random sampling across four regions in Myanmar. A census of community health workers (CHWs) and private outlets with potential to distribute malaria testing and/or treatment was conducted. An audit was completed for all anti-malarials, malaria rapid diagnostic tests. Results: A total of 28,664 outlets were approached and 4416 met the screening criteria. The anti-malarial market composition comprised CHWs (41.5%), general retailers (27.9%), itinerant drug vendors (11.8%), pharmacies (10.9%), and private for-profit facilities (7.9%). Availability of different anti-malarials and diagnostic testing among anti-malarial-stocking CHWs was as follows: artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) (81.3%), chloroquine (67.0%), confirmatory malaria test (77.7%). Less than half of the anti-malarial-stocking private sector had first-line treatment in stock: ACT (41.7%) chloroquine (41.8%), and malaria diagnostic testing was rare (15.4%). Oral artemisinin monotherapy (AMT) was available in 27.7% of private sector outlets (Western, 54.1%; Central, 31.4%; Eastern; 25.0%, Coastal; 15.4%). The private-sector anti-malarial market share comprised ACT (44.0%), chloroquine (26.6%), and oral AMT (19.6%). Among CHW the market share was ACT (71.6%), chloroquine (22.3%); oral AMT (3.8%). More than half of CHWs could correctly state the national first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum and vivax malaria (59.2 and 56.9%, respectively) compared to the private sector (15.8 and 13.2%, respectively). Indicators on support and engagement were as follows for CHWs: reportedly received training on malaria diagnosis (60.7%) or national malaria treatment guidelines (59.6%), received a supervisory or regulatory visit within 12 months (39.1%), kept records on number of patients tested or treated for malaria (77.3%). These indicators were less than 20% across the private sector. Conclusion: CHWs have a strong foundation for achieving malaria goals and their scale-up is merited, however gaps in malaria commodities and supplies must be addressed. Intensified private sector strategies are urgently needed and must be scaled up to improve access and coverage of first-line treatments and malaria diagnosis, and remove oral AMT from the market place. Future policies and interventions on malaria control and elimination in Myanmar should take these findings into consideration across all phases of implementation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number129
JournalMalaria journal
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 25 2017

Keywords

  • Anti-malarial
  • Artemisinin combination therapy
  • Chloroquine
  • Malaria testing
  • Oral artemisinin monotherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

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