The Impact of Intermittent Malaria Treatment Administered Through the EPI Scheme on Malaria Morbidity in Mozambican Children
The Impact of Intermittent Malaria Treatment Administered Through the EPI Scheme on Malaria Morbidity in Mozambican Children
To evaluate if intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi) consisting of SP [Fansidar] given through the EPI scheme alongside routine immunisations at 3, 4 and 9 months of age reduces de incidence of clinical malaria up to 12 months of age
The study is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of the antimalarial drug sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine administered intermittently at 3, 4 and 9 months of age through the EPI scheme at the time of routine immunisations.
Children will be randomized into placebo and SP treatment groups by block randomization, and it is expected a similar age distribution and a similar number of children in each group.
Doses of sulphadoxine (25 mg/kg)-pyrimethamine (1.25 mg/kg) (SP) or placebo will be given by a health assistant according to bodyweight (a quarter of a tablet for those <5kg, a half for those 5-10 kg, and a whole tablet for children >10 kg). The tablets will be crashed and diluted with water for their administration.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: