Levels of Adherence To Coartem© in the Routine Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Children Aged Below Five Years, in Kenya

Background: this study sought to determine the level of adherence to coartem© in the routine treatment of uncomplicated malaria among children under the age of five years in nyando district, kenya.methods: seventy-three children below the age of five years with microscopically confirmed uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malaria and prescribed coartem® during the normal outpatient department hours were included into the study on 27th of april to 15th of may 2009. adherence was assessed through a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire; pill count and blister pack recovery. patients were then classified into three categories of adherence. patients who had tablets remaining in the blister pack were classified as definitely non-adherent. those who had blister pack missing or empty and the caretaker did not report administering all the doses at the correct time and amount were considered probably non-adherent or as probably adherent when the caretaker reported administering all doses at the correct time and amount.results: nine (14.5%) patients were definitely non-adherent, 6 (9.7%) probably non-adherent and 47 (75.8%) probably adherent. the most significantly left tablet was the sixth doses (p = 0.029).conclusion: caretakers should be made much aware that non-adherence might not only be dangerous to child’s health but also dramatically increase the financial cost for public-health services.