Trend and factor modeling for early treatment for fever in children under 5 years of age in Guinea

Abstract Malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity in Guinea. To contain it, the national program to combat malaria, following the directives of the World Health Organization, prioritizes: the mass distribution of mosquito nets impregnated with insecticides, seasonal chemo-prevention, intermittent preventive treatment of in pregnant women, and the correct management of all confirmed cases. The latest survey on malaria and anemia indicators carried out in 2021 indicates a malaria prevalence of 17% among children under 5 years old. Among these children who contracted fever during the last two weeks preceding the survey, seeking care within 48 hours was only made for 32% of cases in 2021 while it was 37% in 2018 Or a drop in healthcare use while malaria prevalence remains high. Faced with this observation, it is important to identify the factors which explain this low recourse to care and/or treatment in cases of fever in children under five years of age in Guinea? In this perspective, we used data from the 2018 demographic and health survey and those from the 2021 malaria and anemia indicators survey. Descriptive and predictive analyzes were used to identify the factors common and specific conditions associated with early recourse to care for fever in children in Guinea. The results show that early care-seeking is low and is decreasing while the prevalence of malaria has remained constant at 17% since 2018. In addition, care-seeking is lower in rural areas and among poor households. and in the regions of Boké, Kindia, Labé and Nzérékoré. Studies on the use of care in cases of fever in children including endemic areas would make it possible to identify new strategies towards the eradication of malaria in Guinea.