Malaria prevention practices among patients attending the NTOUM departmental hospital, Northwest Gabon

Introduction: In Gabon, a territory located in Central Africa, prevention is an essential measure in the fight against malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in the Komo-Mondah department, the prophylaxis practices employed by the inhabitants of the commune of Ntoum and the prevalence of anti-malarial drugs prescribed by local doctors. Methods: We carried out a prospective, cross-sectional study over a 3-month period, on patients of both sexes and of all ages who came for consultation to the departmental hospital of Ntoum. Patients who had a prescription for malaria drugs at the end of their medical visit were included in the study. Results: Of the 248 subjects enrolled, children under 5 years of age were the main victims (84%).Indeed, children under 5 were two (2) and three (3) times more likely to test positive to malaria than the age group 16-24 (OR = 2.44 [1.05 - 5.63]; P ˂ 0.05) , 25 and over (OR= 3.10 [1.46 - 6.59]; P ˂ 0.05), respectively. Anti-malaria prophylaxis was practiced by 80% of the study population. Patients who declared sleeping under a bed net appear to be protected compare to those who did not (OR= 0.53 [0.28 - 0.97] ; P ˂ 0.05). Self-medication was recorded in 29% of patients, and the drugs most commonly prescribed by doctors were artemisinin-based combinations, including Artefan (51%), Coartem (30%) and Eurartesim (2%). Conclusion: Although conventional prophylaxis measures (vector control and chemoprevention) are adopted by many Gabonese, careful pharmacological management and the implementation of targeted, long-term prevention-surveillance and health education strategies will enable effective malaria control in this part of Gabon.