Factors contributing to prevent malaria in children aged 3 to 59 months after first cycle of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Tenkodogo Health District of Burkina Faso, July 2020: A prospective cohort study

Abstract Background The incidence of malaria in children under 5 years in Burkina Faso was 163‰ with a case fatality of 1.5% in 2018. Despite the implementation of several strategies, malaria incidence increases in Tenkodogo Health District after taking seasonal malaria chemo prevention (SMC). In order to better struggle this situation and take corrective measures, a study was undertaken. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study from 10 June to 5 September 2020 at Tenkodogo Health District. The study population consisted of children aged 03 to 59 months. We conducted a cluster sample and selected 847 eligible children. We conducted a survey with mothers using a questionnaire and a literature review. We used Epi-info 7 for calculating averages, proportions and carried out multivariate logistic regression. Results The overall level of SMC adherence was 90.02%. During the 4-week follow-up, malaria incidence was 99.76 cases per 1000 children, increasing from 15.43 to 34.44 cases per 1000 children from the first to the fourth week after the first cycle of SMC. Advice from community health workers was a protective factor against malaria in children (RR = 0.43; CI 95% 0,24–0,75 Conclusion A gradual increase in malaria incidence after the first passage of SMC was objectified. Also, the advice given by the community health workers was a protective factor against malaria after first cycle of SMC. Measures to strengthen the quality of advice by community health workers are needed to reduce this incidence of malaria in children after SMC in Tenkodogo health district.