Knowledge and practices of community drug distributors and health facility workers during the 2021 spot-check survey of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Adamawa and Yobe states amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Background: Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has become a critical strategy to prevent malaria in high-transmission areas during the rainy season. The governments of Adamawa and Yobe States in Nigeria have implemented the SMC campaign with support from Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) and Health Facility (HF) workers in Adamawa and Yobe states. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the practices and knowledge of CDDs and health workers in the designated health facilities regarding COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Methodology: Pre-tested, structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from CDDs and HF workers on SMC guidelines and COVID-19 IPC protocols. Trained assistants conducted the interviews, and the data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 290 CDDs (169 in Adamawa, 121 in Yobe) and 196 HF informants (115 in Adamawa, 81 in Yobe) participated. Many CDDs did not have formal medical training, and most HF workers were CHEWs. Unfortunately, very few HF respondents could correctly outline the steps
for assessing febrile children. Most CDDs employed COVID-19 IPC measures; however, physical distancing was often not observed, especially in Yobe State, due to cultural reasons and because administering the SPAQ requires proximity to the child. Conclusions: CDDs and HF workers had observed most of the COVID-19 IPC during the SMC campaign. However, there is a need for increased training of HF workers on proper information dissemination during public health emergencies.