Preventing malaria in school children to protect communities in Malawi
Preventing Malaria in School Children to Protect the Whole Community in Rural Blantyre District, Malawi
This study is testing different ways to prevent malaria in school children in Malawi to see which method helps keep them and their community healthier.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Months and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Blantyre) |
| Trial ID | NCT06083688 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates different malaria chemoprevention strategies among primary school students in rural Blantyre District, Malawi. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine, or standard care with no preventive treatment. The study will assess outcomes such as malaria infection rates, anemia, cognitive function, and the impact on malaria transmission in the community. The interventions will be administered every six weeks during school terms, coinciding with peak malaria transmission periods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include primary school students in rural Blantyre District who can provide informed consent from a parent or guardian.
Not a fit: Patients currently experiencing severe malaria or those with known adverse reactions to the study drugs may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce malaria transmission and improve health outcomes for children and their communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar malaria chemoprevention strategies, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this trial.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Student Inclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled in the study school * Plan to attend the study school for the remainder of the school year * Parent/guardian available to provide written informed consent Student Exclusion Criteria: * Current evidence of severe malaria or danger signs * Known adverse reaction to the study drugs * History of cardiac problems or fainting * Taking medications known to prolong QT * Family history of prolonged QT * History of epilepsy or psoriasis * Taking cotrimoxazole for long-term prophylaxis Younger child Inclusion Criteria * Slept in the household for most nights in the last month * Age 6-59 months * Parent/guardian available to provide written informed consent Younger child Exclusion Criteria - Current evidence of severe malaria or danger signs
Where this trial is running
Blantyre
- Malaria Alert Centre — Blantyre, Malawi (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lauren M Cohee, MD MS
- Email: lauren.cohee@lstmed.ac.uk
- Phone: 00441513517674
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.