Access to mosquito nets, treatment reduces malaria cases

A child sleeps under a mosquito net. Access to mosquito nets and treatment has reduced malaria cases in children in Kenya from 11 per cent to 8 per cent in 2015. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Three in four children with fever were taken to a government facility for advice or treatment on malaria in 2015.
  • Three per cent of parents sought advice or malaria treatment from shops.
  • Malaria a major public health concern as it accounts for 16 per cent outpatient attendance in public health facilities.

The number of children suffering from malaria has gone down, thanks to use of mosquito nets and access to treatment.

The 2015 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey shows prevalence in children between six months and 14 years has dropped from 11 to eight per cent.

However, prevalence in children under five years has doubled at the Coast from four per cent and this is worrying the Health ministry, which says efforts must be made “to sustain fragile gains”.

Nonetheless, the decline in malaria infections is as a result of timely treatment, according to the study.

It shows three in four children with fever were taken to a government facility for advice or treatment on malaria in 2015, translating to 72 per cent, an increase from 59 per cent in 2010,

Interestingly, three per cent of parents sought advice or malaria treatment from shops.

However, this was a decrease from nine per cent in 2010, as less than 1 per cent sought advice or treatment from traditional healers.

Acting Director of Medical Services Jack Kioko said: “Six in 10 households in the country owned a treated mosquito net in 2015, compared to about four in 10 houses as observed in 2010.”

Dr Kioko termed malaria a major public health concern as it accounts for 16 per cent outpatient attendance in public health facilities.

He added: “It is encouraging that more than half of pregnant women and children under five used a treated mosquito net (long lasting insecticidal net) the night before the survey.”

Dr Kioko said there is need to increase investment in malaria control.

The government contributes about Sh2 billion annually to the management of malaria, which complements a larger kitty by donors, including the US, which contributes about Sh3.5 billion.

The survey, launched Sunday in Nairobi, notes that the poorest households are least likely to own a treated net. So far, the ministry has donated 12.6 million nets in the country.

One in four pregnant women in malaria-prone areas took three doses of Fansidar, a drug that prevents malaria, as the disease can lead to still births, low birth weight and miscarriage.

Kenya National Malaria Strategy recommends pregnant women in Coast and lake regions receive preventative drugs from 16 weeks of pregnancy when they visit antenatal clinics.

Pregnant women in several counties, including Kilifi, Mombasa, Lamu, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Kwale, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay have been targeted in this campaign.