Self-Diagnosis and Self-Treatment of Malaria in Hard-to-Reach and Mobile Populations of the Amazon: Results of Malakit, a Multicentric Intervention Research Project. Towards a Paradigm Shift?

Background: Illegal gold miners are currently a key reservoir for malaria in French Guiana (FG), with a risk of emergence of resistance linked to improper use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). The remoteness of the mines and regulatory issues hinder their access to health care. Methods: An intervention researched project (Malakit) implemented in FG borders with Brazil and Suriname aimed at determining the effectiveness of distributed kits for self-diagnosis and self-treatment to illegal gold miners, after training, at strategic border staging areas. Evaluation relied on questionnaires at inclusion and follow-up visits, and pre/post intervention surveys. The primary outcome was the proportion of persons reporting a use of certified ACT after a positive malaria diagnosis. The secondary outcomes assessed antimalarial adherence, kit use and impact on malaria epidemiology. Findings: The proportion of patients reporting a use of certified ACT after a positive diagnosis increased after the intervention (OR 1.8, 95%CI [1.1-3.0]). From April 2018 to March 2020, 3,733 persons participated in the intervention. The kit was used correctly by 71.7% [65.8-77.7] of the 223 persons reporting having used a malakit during the follow-up visits. The intervention could have accelerated the decline in malaria incidence in the region by 42.9%. InterpretationThis innovative international project showed that people with low education can correctly self-manage their malaria symptoms. This strategy could be integrated in the malaria control programs of the countries involved and considered in other regions with residual malaria in remote areas. Funding: This project was funded by the European Union, the Global Fund, PAHO, Brazil MoH, Cayenne Hospital and FG Health Regional Agency. Declaration of Interest: Any authors declare to have no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval: Each participant gave a written consent after clear and appropriate information. Ethics approvals were obtained from countries where the project was implemented (Table 1). The project was the subject of a Normal CNIL Declaration on 24 May 2018 (Declaration Number 2188949 v 0) for data analysis according to the General Data Protection Regulation (European Union Regulation 2016/679).