Reactive community-based self-administered treatment against residual malaria transmission: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

This study explores a community-based approach to treating malaria case contacts.Methods/designThis is a cluster-randomized trial to determine whether, in low-transmission areas, treating individuals living in the same compound of a clinical malaria case with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine  can reduce parasite carriage and thus residual malaria transmission. Treatment will be administered through the local health system with the approach of encouraging community participation designed and monitored through formative research. The trial goal is to show that this approach can reduce in intervention villages the prevalence ofPlasmodium falciparum infection toward the end of the malaria transmission season.DiscussionAdherence and cooperation of the local communities are critical for the success of mass treatment campaigns aimed at reducing malaria transmission. By exploring community perceptions of the changing trends in malaria burden, existing health systems, and reaction to self-administered treatment, this study will develop and adapt a model for community engagement toward malaria elimination that is cost-effective and fits within the existing health system.Trial registrationClinical trials.gov,NCT02878200. Registered on 25 August 2016.  
Source: Trials - Category: Research Source Type: clinical trials