Assessment of the health care offer of free malaria treatment among under five children in the Dschang health district

Introduction: Malaria is the most widespread endemic disease in Cameroon and is a major public health problem, placing a heavy burden on the well-being of children under the age of 5, who are a vulnerable target. In order to combat this burden, the Cameroonian government has provided free malaria treatment for children under 5 since February 2011 for simple, uncomplicated malaria and since May 2014 for severe malaria. The aim of this study was to describe the provision of free malaria treatment for children under five in the Dschang health district.

Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the Dschang health district from November 2022 to July 2023 in public and private health facilities providing malaria treatment for children under five. Data were collected using a semi structured questionnaire administered face-to-face to health facility personnel. The data were analysed using SPSS 20 software for proportions, and ArcGIS 10.3.1 for a map of the provision of free malaria treatment in the Dschang health district.

Results: Of the 88 health facilities visited in the Dschang Health District, most personnel that participated were state nurse and where in the rural area, belonging to the 6th category of health facilities and being in the private sector. Only 21 (23.6%) health facilities offering free malaria treatment for children under five in the Dschang Health District. Most health facilities were in need of materials and drug subventions. Most health personnel 74 (84.1%) had a good knowledge on free malaria treatment policy, and the main barrier face by these health facilities was the lack of subvention 71 (80.7%).

Conclusion: Most health facilities do not offer free malaria treatment even if, most of them are well informed about the free malaria treatment policy in Cameroon.