PERCEPTIONS OF ARTEMISININ-BASED COMBINATION THERAPIES AMONG NIGERIAN WOMEN SEVEN YEARS AFTER ADOPTION AS FIRST LINE DRUGS

The study evaluated the perceptions of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) among women seven years after it was adopted in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Maiduguri, Nigeria between February and May 2012 by interviewing 350 women. Majority (86.3%) of the women demonstrated adequate knowledge of malaria symptoms. One hundred and sixty seven (167/214, 78.0%) of 214 (61.1%) women who received ACTs previously, took it on prescriptions. Majority opted for herbs (36.0%, P = 0.022) as first drug of choice for malaria treatment. Most of the women perceived that ACTs are expensive (74.9%, P<0.000001), not readily available (72.3%, P<0.000001), not certain of the safety (43.7%, P=0.031) and felt the dosage is cumbersome (38.9%, P=0.038). Health institutions accounted for highest source of information about ACTs (57.5%, P<0.000001). However, significant proportion (73.4%, P<0.000001) opined that ACTs are effective in malaria treatment. Low level of education, resident in rural areas and previous consumption of ACTs were associated with positive perceptions. Despite long time adoption of ACTs, it is negatively perceived by Nigerian women