Randomized controlled trials of malaria intervention trials in Africa, 1948 to 2007: a descriptive analysis

Malaria Journal

Research

Annette Gerritsen¹  Vittoria Lutje²  Nandi Siegfried³ 

[1] Department of Public Health, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa;International Health Research Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK;South African Cochrane Centre, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa;

关键词: Malaria;    Severe Malaria;    Malaria Prevention;    Malaria Intervention;    Uncomplicated Malaria;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1475-2875-10-61

 received in 2010-10-04, accepted in 2011-03-15,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundNine out of ten deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Various control measures have achieved some progress in the control of the disease, but malaria is still a major public health problem in Africa. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are universally considered the best study type to rigorously assess whether an intervention is effective. The study reported here provides a descriptive analysis of RCTs reporting interventions for the prevention and treatment of malaria conducted in Africa, with the aim of providing detailed information on their main clinical and methodological characteristics, that could be used by researchers and policy makers to help plan future research.MethodsSystematic searches for malaria RCTs were conducted using electronic databases (Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library), and an African geographic search filter to identify RCTs conducted in Africa was applied. Results were exported to the statistical package STATA 8 to obtain a random sample from the overall data set. Final analysis of trial characteristics was done in a double blinded fashion by two authors using a standardized data extraction form.ResultsA random sample of 92 confirmed RCTs (from a total of 943 reports obtained between 1948 and 2007) was prepared. Most trials investigated drug treatment in children with uncomplicated malaria. Few trials reported on treatment of severe malaria or on interventions in pregnant women. Most trials were of medium size (100-500 participants), individually randomized and based in a single centre. Reporting of trial quality was variable. Although three-quarter of trials provided information on participants' informed consent and ethics approval, more details are needed.ConclusionsThe majority of malaria RCT conducted in Africa report on drug treatment and prevention in children; there is need for more research done in pregnant women. Sources of funding, informed consent and trial quality were often poorly reported. Overall, clearer reporting of trials is needed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Lutje et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011