02786nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653002500054653003100079653001200110653001200122653001800134100001400152700001100166700001100177700001100188700001600199700001100215700001300226700001200239700001200251700001200263700001300275700001000288700001600298700001300314245013500327856012000462300000900582520183100591022001402422       2023                            d  c09/202310aIntegrated Treatment10aSoil Transmitted Helminths10aMalaria10aSenegal10aAcceptability1 aAfolabi M1 aDiaw A1 aFall E1 aSall F1 aDiédhiou A1 aSeck A1 aCamara B1 aNiang D1 aManga I1 aMbaye I1 aSougou N1 aSow D1 aGreenwood B1 aNdiaye J00aProvider and User Acceptability of Integrated Treatment for the Control of Malaria and Helminths in Saraya, South-Eastern Senegal.  uhttps://www.ajtmh.org/downloadpdf/journals/tpmd/aop/article-10.4269-ajtmh.23-0113/article-10.4269-ajtmh.23-0113.xml  a1-103 a<p>Integration of vertical programs for the control of malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis has been recommended to achieve elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTD) by 2030. This qualitative study was conducted within the context of a randomized controlled trial to explore the perceptions and views of parents/caregivers of at-risk children and healthcare providers to determine their acceptability of the integrated malaria-helminth treatment approach. Randomly selected parents/caregivers of children enrolled in the trial, healthcare providers, trial staff, malaria, and NTD program managers were interviewed using purpose-designed topic guides. Transcripts obtained from the interviews were coded and common themes identified using content analysis were triangulated. Fifty-seven study participants comprising 26 parents/caregivers, 10 study children aged ≥&nbsp;10 years, 15 trial staff, four healthcare providers, and two managers from the Senegal Ministry of Health were interviewed. Thirty-eight of the participants (66.7%) were males, and their ages ranged from 10 to 65 years. Overall, the integrated malaria-helminth treatment approach was considered acceptable, but the study participants expressed concerns about the taste, smell, and side effects associated with amodiaquine and praziquantel in the combination package. Reluctance to accept the medications was also observed among children aged 10 to 14 years due to peer influence and gender-sensitive cultural beliefs. Addressing concerns about the taste and smell of amodiaquine and praziquantel is needed to optimize the uptake of the integrated treatment program. Also, culturally appropriate strategies need to be put in place to cater for the inclusion of children aged 10 to 14 years in this approach.</p>
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