Abstract

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention is tailored for children 3 to 59 months in areas of high transmission of malaria between July and October. However, SMC was administrated to children outside the pre-defined age range. This study aims to evaluate to which extent the treatment was given to these children. The authors carried out a cross sectional survey in November 2018 in eight (8) health regions. Sampled of 944 household where mothers of children under the age of 10 were interviewed about SMC coverage. They used a structured questionnaire to mothers/tutors including child’s age, the history of SMC administration including the adherence to the three daily doses, the possession or not of SMC cards, use of bed nets, and finally episodes of illnesses during the SMC period. Proportion of treated children included proportions captured both during mother/tutor’s interview or card inspection. A total of 1191 children between the age of 5 years and over were identified. According to mother’s declaration, 19.65% (234/1191) children received at least one dose of SMC; only 150 children had SMC card, of whom 146 (97.33%) have received at least one dose of SMC. Despite the well-known age target of SMC, older children were treated; however reduced, this deserves further attention.

Key words: SMC coverage, children over 59 months, Burkina Faso.