Effectiveness of malaria chemoprevention in Togo: concerning results on vaccination

The thesis of Shino Arikawa, conducted at the University of Bordeaux, reveals that 16% of children under two years old in the Haho district have not received routine vaccinations, compromising the effectiveness of malaria chemoprevention. This study, validated by the ABES/STAR network, highlights the urgency of improving access to healthcare for vulnerable children in Togo.

Shino Arikawa's research, conducted at the BPH laboratory, addresses the fight against malaria in Togo by integrating chemoprevention into the expanded vaccination program. This pragmatic approach aims to assess the effectiveness of chemoprevention in the Haho district, a region heavily affected by this disease. The challenges of accessing healthcare are highlighted, particularly for unvaccinated children.

The study's results show that 16% of children under two years old have not received routine vaccinations, and 12.6% of children aged 16 to 23 months remained unimmunized after two years of project implementation. These figures underscore the gaps in vaccination coverage and the importance of targeted intervention to protect vulnerable children against malaria.

The implications of this research are strategic for policymakers: improving vaccination coverage could reduce the incidence of malaria and long-term healthcare costs. Investors should consider the healthcare market in Togo as an opportunity while partnering with local actors to ensure the sustainability of health initiatives.

« « 16% of children under two years old in the Haho district have not received routine vaccinations, which compromises the effectiveness of malaria chemoprevention, » says Shino Arikawa. »

« « Access to knowledge and the promotion of research like that of Shino Arikawa are essential to inform the decisions of public health actors in Togo, » emphasizes the Lektaris team. »