Adherence to malaria prophylaxis among Peace Corps Volunteers in the Africa region, 2013. 2015

Keren Z Landman, and Kathrine R Tan, and Paul M Arguin
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health/Malaria Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS A06, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Electronic address: klandman@gmail.com.

BACKGROUND Although malaria can be prevented with prophylaxis, it is diagnosed in over 100 Africa-region Peace Corps Volunteers annually. This suggests that prophylaxis non-adherence is a problem in these non-immune travelers. METHODS We investigated Volunteers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prophylaxis using an internet-based survey during August 19-September 30, 2013. Adherence was defined as taking doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil daily, or taking mefloquine doses no more than 8 days apart. RESULTS The survey was sent to 3248 Volunteers. Of 781 whose responses were analyzed, 514 (73%) reported adherence to prophylaxis. The most common reasons for non-adherence were forgetting (n = 530, 90%); fear of long-term adverse effects (LTAEs; n = 316, 54%); and experiencing adverse events that Volunteers attributed to prophylaxis (n = 297, 51%). Two hundred fourteen (27%) Volunteers reported not worrying about malaria. On multivariate analysis controlling for sex and experiencing adverse events Volunteers attributed to prophylaxis, the factor most strongly associated with non-adherence was being prescribed mefloquine (OR 5.4, 95% confidence interval 3.2-9.0). CONCLUSIONS We found moderate adherence and a prevailing fear of LTAEs among Volunteers. Strategies to improve prophylaxis adherence may include medication reminders, increasing education about prophylaxis safety and malaria risk, and promoting prompt management of prophylaxis side effects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008288 Malaria A protozoan disease caused in humans by four species of the PLASMODIUM genus: PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM; PLASMODIUM VIVAX; PLASMODIUM OVALE; and PLASMODIUM MALARIAE; and transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the genus ANOPHELES. Malaria is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Oceania, and certain Caribbean islands. It is characterized by extreme exhaustion associated with paroxysms of high FEVER; SWEATING; shaking CHILLS; and ANEMIA. Malaria in ANIMALS is caused by other species of plasmodia. Marsh Fever,Plasmodium Infections,Remittent Fever,Infections, Plasmodium,Paludism,Fever, Marsh,Fever, Remittent,Infection, Plasmodium,Plasmodium Infection
D008297 Male Males
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D002727 Proguanil A biguanide compound which metabolizes in the body to form cycloguanil, an anti-malaria agent. Chlorguanid,Chloroguanide,Bigumal,Chloriguane,Chloroguanide Hydrochloride,Paludrin,Paludrine,Proguanil Hydrochloride,Hydrochloride, Chloroguanide,Hydrochloride, Proguanil
D003625 Data Collection Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data. Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D004318 Doxycycline A synthetic tetracycline derivative with similar antimicrobial activity. 2-Naphthacenecarboxamide, 4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,5,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy-6-methyl-1,11-dioxo-, (4S-(4alpha,4aalpha,5alpha,5aalpha,6alpha,12aalpha))-,Alpha-6-Deoxyoxytetracycline,Atridox,BMY-28689,BU-3839T,Doryx,Doxycycline Calcium,Doxycycline Calcium Salt (1:2),Doxycycline Hemiethanolate,Doxycycline Hyclate,Doxycycline Monohydrate,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, 6-epimer,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, Dihydrate,Doxycycline Phosphate (1:1),Doxycycline-Chinoin,Hydramycin,Oracea,Periostat,Vibra-Tabs,Vibramycin,Vibramycin Novum,Vibravenos,Alpha 6 Deoxyoxytetracycline,BMY 28689,BMY28689,BU 3839T,BU3839T,Doxycycline Chinoin,Doxycycline Monohydrochloride, 6 epimer,Vibra Tabs
D004338 Drug Combinations Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture. Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000349 Africa The continent south of EUROPE, east of the ATLANTIC OCEAN and west of the INDIAN OCEAN.

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