Pre-Packaged Anti-Malarial Tablets or Syrup: Which Is the Better Option for the Treatment of Malaria in Children 0 - 5 ?

Abstract

Compliance with chloroquine syrup was very poor. Only 42.4% of clients could do as they were told by the Prescriber compared to 91.0% compliance with the pre-packaged tablets. ■ A variety of measures with different volumes were being used to represent a 5 ml. Teaspoon. These ranged from 1 ml. To 9 ml. Some clients used two different measures with different volumes to administer the syrup. ■ Compliance with pre-packaged chloroquine tablets was more than twice that with the syrup in all cases. ■ A majority of mothers found the pre-packaged tablets acceptable, convenient and easy to administer. ■ About 63% preferred pre-packaged tablets to syrup. ■ Cost of treatment with pre-packaged chloroquine tablets is about one-third that of the syrup. Pre packaged chloroquine tablets for children 0-5 years are a viable alternative to chloroquine syrup to improve compliance and cut down cost to the patient. Mothers have shown a willingness to go along with this change and this potential must be explored