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NCT Number: NCT07281443

MDA and Targeted Control Against Plasmodium Carriage in the Sahel

Strategies implemented since 2010 by the Senegalese National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) enabled a reduction of malaria transmission. However, malaria incidence increased again in recent years, especially in the "red zone" of Kedougou, Kolda and Tambacounda regions. Neighbouring Sahelian countries also documented an increase in malaria incidence in the same period. Current interventions include : long-lasting insecticidal nets, free diagnostic and treatment of clinical malaria, home-based case management (PECADOM), intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women and seasonal malaria chemoprevention for children up to 10 years. These strategies, while efficient to reduce the burden of clinical malaria, do not account for individuals chronically infected with Plasmodium parasites. These carriers often remain asymptomatic and act as a reservoir for persistence during the dry season, and onwards transmission during the wet season. An observational study conducted in Kedougou in 2021 and 2022 by IRD Dakar shed light on the most affected age groups and on risk-factors associated with asymptomatic carriage.

Interventions against asymptomatic carriage could complement existing strategies and contribute to reducing malaria transmission. Mass drug administration (MDA) involves proposing a curative treatment of each member of the community, regardless of age, during a coordinated campaign. To this day, it is the only intervention available to deplete the reservoir of Plasmodium carriers, since a large proportion of asymptomatic infections remain undetectable with available field tests. A study conducted by NMCP and Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès (UIDT) in 2021 in Tambacounda showed that regular MDA campaigns during the high transmission season had a significant impact on clinical malaria incidence and on prevalence of carriage.

AMARETi project aims to evaluate an intervention to complete current control strategies. The design of this intervention combines the recent results from Kedougou and Tambacounda studies. The intervention consists of an MDA campaign at the start and at the end of the high transmission season, aiming at maximal depletion of the asymptomatic reservoir, and of age-group targeted interventions aiming to reduce chronic reinfection in individuals at highest risk of asymptomatic carriage.

The design and implementation of the intervention stem from a co-construction process with members of communities participating in the research, to maximize inclusiveness and adhesion. It aims to ensure the design of interventions that are adapted to age, gender and other factors deemed relevant by researchers and communities.

The project will evaluate if this intervention improves significantly the situation compared to current strategy in a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial over 2 malaria high transmission seasons. If the results are conclusive, recommendations for scale-up can be made. The primary outcome will be Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence at the end of the high transmission season. Secondary outcomes include clinical malaria incidence and malaria incidence dynamics, as well as participation, safety and acceptability.

Implementation outcomes (not detailed here) will include the assessment of implementation (CFIR's indicators), sustainability (Schell's indicators) and scalability (Coroa's indicators). These indicators use multiple dimensions stemming from qualitative and quantitative data and flexible design to understand each specific outcome (Proctor E, et al, Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 2011).

In addition, a nested study in 10 villages will provide insights on transmission and reservoir restoration mechanisms through follow-up of a cohort and in-depth investigations.

AMARETi project will take place from 2024 to 2027 in 7 health posts and 50 villages of Kedougou department, under the leadership of the Kedougou Health District and Region authorities. The local health, administrative and community-based authorities at local and regional level are also key partners in the project, as well as local development committees and health community-based organisations. Healthpost staff and community health workers and volunteers will be essential for the operational field implementation.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Malaria, Falciparum Infections Malaria Malaria, Asymptomatic Parasitaemia Mosquito-Borne Diseases Parasitic Diseases Protozoan Infections Vector Borne Diseases

Age range

3 month–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

District de Santé de Kédougou - Kedougou Health District

Kedougou, Senegal

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Randomisation unit : cluster, defined as village or group of eligible villages <3km from each other

VILLAGE-LEVEL CRITERIA Inclusion

  • in Kedougou health district
  • population <1500 inhabitants
  • >5km from international border
  • >3km from a town with 1500 inhabitants or higher
  • >3km from another village/cluster

Exclusion

  • village inaccessible during rainy season
  • village without community health worker and impossible to set up one

INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL: MDA with DHA-piperaquine and single low dose primaquine Inclusion

  • consent (+ assent for youth aged 12-17)
  • age >=3 months
  • in the village for >=4 days at time of MDA initiation
  • not pregnant (women 15-49 years with negative pregnancy test or under contraception)

Exclusion (excluded from DHA-piperaquine and primaquine)

  • allergy to artemisinin combination therapy
  • pregnant women (referred for administration of IPTp) or women without pregnancy test result
  • presenting with acute disease symptoms: in case of fever or history of fever, individuals will be tested with RDT and, if positive, refered to CHW or healthpost for symptomatic malaria treatment according to national guidelines.

Exclusion (excluded from primaquine only, eligible for DHA-p)

  • children aged 3-6 months
  • lactating women

INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL: youth-targeted testing and treatment activity Inclusion

  • age 15-24 (+ assent for youth aged 15-17)
  • consent Exclusion
  • none. in case of RDT-positivity, participants will be referred for treatment according to national guidelines (recommendation of treatment in case of a positive test, irrespective of symptoms).

COHORT STUDY 8 villages/clusters selected for an in-depth cohort study

Household inclusion

  • consent of head of household
  • not planning to move out of study village
  • 50% of more members aged >=15 years agree to participate

Individual participant inclusion

  • household member or visitor staying longer than 1 night
  • consent (+ assent for youth aged 12-17)
  • age >=6 months

Individual participant exclusion

  • in another study on malaria or health

Treatment and study plan

MDA with DHAp and SLD Primaquine

Drug

MDA: 2 rounds of MDA with dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine + single low dose primaquine (PQ) administered instead of SMC round 1 and 5.

Targeted control (10-24 years) during the malaria high tranmission season: behaviour

Behavioral

Communication and community engagement activities by age-groups:

  • children aged 10-14 and their parents : promote early health seeking behaviour in case of symptoms
  • young adults (15-24) : promote early health seeking behaviour in case of symptoms, emphasing the importance of mild symptoms.

Targeted control (15-24 years) during the malaria high tranmission season: test and treat

Diagnostic Test

Voluntary testing for malaria in young adults (15-24 years) using rapid diagnostic tests performed by community health workers during home visits or group testing events organized by the village youth association.

Primary outcomes

  1. Plasmodium falciparum carriage reservoir at the end of the high transmission season (step 0)

    Time frame: 4 months after SMC round 1, baseline year 0

    Number of participants with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Survey conducted at step 0 (baseline, year 0, no intervention). Survey takes place 4 months after SMC round 1 i.e. immediately before SMC round 5.

  2. Plasmodium falciparum carriage reservoir at the end of the high transmission season (step 1)

    Time frame: 4 months after MDA1/SMC round 1, year 1

    Number of participants with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Surveys conducted at step 1 (year 1, intervention in 50% of clusters). Survey takes place 4 months after SMC round 1 in control villages (i.e. immediately before SMC round 5) and 4 months after MDA1 in intervention villages (i.e. immediately before MDA2).

  3. Plasmodium falciparum carriage reservoir at the end of the high transmission season (step 2)

    Time frame: 4 months after MDA3, year 2

    Number of participants with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Surveys conducted at step 2 (year 2). During the final step, intervention MDA3 (at the start of the wet season, replacing SMC round 1) and MDA4 (at the end of the wet season, replacing SMC round 5) take place in all clusters. Survey takes place 4 months after MDA3 in intervention villages (i.e. immediately before MDA4).

  4. Odds ratio of P. falciparum infection associated with intervention/control period status

    Time frame: 4 months after SMC round 1, years 0, 1 and 2

    The results of the cross sectional surveys at year 0, 1 and 2 (see outcomes 1-3) will be analysed in a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model. Explained variable : P. falciparum infection detected by qPCR. Variable of interest : intervention or control status at village level. Adjustments for individual, household, and cluster-level fixed effects. Including household, village, cluster and temporal random effects.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Clinical malaria burden

    Time frame: year 1, year 2

    Cumulative P. falciparum clinical malaria incidence in study villages during the high transmission season (june to january) as recorded at community (CHW) and health-facility level. Comparison between intervention and control periods will evaluate burden reduction associated with intervention status.

  2. Spatio-temporal dynamics of clinical malaria incidence

    Time frame: year 1, year 2

    Time-series of weekly cumulative incidence of clinical P. falciparum malaria recorded by CHW and health facilities in study villages during the high transmission season.

  3. Mass drug administration safety (active)

    Time frame: Day 4 after MDA start

    Frequency and severity of adverse events identified by active detection in a random sample of participants immediately after each MDA round.

  4. Mass drug administration safety (passive)

    Time frame: Day 0 to day 7 after MDA start

    Frequency and severity of adverse events recorded by passive detection at community (CHW) and health-facility level during each MDA (MDA1, 2, 3 and 4).

  5. Plasmodium falciparum carriage reservoir at the onset of the high transmission season (step 1)

    Time frame: immediately before MDA1/SMC round 1, year 1

    Number of participants with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Survey conducted at step 1 (year 1, intervention in 50% of clusters). Survey takes place immediately before SMC round 1 in control villages and immediately before MDA1 in intervention villages. This period corresponds to the onset of the high transmission season (i.e. the end of the dry, low transmission season)

  6. Plasmodium falciparum carriage reservoir at the onset of the high transmission season (step 2)

    Time frame: immediately before MDA3, year 2

    Number of participants with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Surveys conducted at step 2 (year 2, intervention in 100% of clusters), immediately before MDA3, at the onset of the high transmission season (i.e. at the end of the dry, low transmission season)

  7. Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence in 10-14 and 15-24 years

    Time frame: 4 months after SMC round 1 / MDA1, year 1

    Number of participants aged 10-14 and 15-24 years with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Surveys conducted at step 1 (year 1, intervention in 50% of clusters). Survey takes place 4 months after SMC round 1 in control villages (i.e. immediately before SMC round 5) and 4 months after MDA1 in intervention villages (i.e. immediately before MDA2). This subgroup analysis of secondary outcome 2 will enable comparison of prevalence and prevalence reduction between intervention and control periods by age-group to estimate potential effectiveness of the targeted control intervention.

  8. Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence in 10-14 and 15-24 years

    Time frame: 4 months after MDA3, year 2

    Number of participants aged 10-14 and 15-24 years with P. falciparum infection (measured by qPCR in cross sectional sample). Surveys conducted at step 2 (year 2, intervention in all clusters). Survey takes place 4 months after MDA3 (i.e. immediately before MDA4). This subgroup analysis of secondary outcome 3 will enable comparison of prevalence and prevalence reduction between intervention and control periods by age-group to estimate potential effectiveness of the targeted control intervention.

  9. Intervention cost-effectiveness

    Time frame: year 2 and year 3

    Intervention cost and cost-effectiveness ratio regarding prevalence reduction and clinical burden reduction

  10. Participation to MDA intervention

    Time frame: Day 5 after MDA (MDA1 & MDA2, year 1; MDA2 & MDA3, year 2).

    Proportion of population participating to intervention relatively to total and eligible population, estimated for each MDA round (MDA1 to MDA4). 3-dose complete participation measured at the end of each MDA round, as well as incomplete participation (only 1 or 2 doses taken).

  11. Participation to targeted control intervention (15-24 years)

    Time frame: from month 2 to month 3 MDA1 (year 2) ; from month 2 to month 3 after MDA3 (year 2)

    Proportion of eligible 15-24 years old who completed at least one rapid diagnostic test during targeted control activities taking place from month 2 to month 3 after MDA1 during year 1 and from month 2 to month 3 after MDA3 during year 2.

  12. Intervention acceptability

    Time frame: after MDA, year 1

    Sekhon's indicators of acceptability evaluated using mixed methods (quantitative during cross-sectional surveys and qualitative) evaluated prospectively before MDA and retrospectively after MDA. Quantitative evaluation will rely on a -7 to +7 scale established combining responses to close-ended questions on the 7 dimensions of acceptability.

Other outcomes

  1. Risk-factors for Plasmodium falciparum infection in a subcohort follow-up

    Time frame: 6 planned cohort visits (from baseline year 0 to 4 months after MDA3, during year 2).

    Plasmodium falciparum qPCR positivity odds-ratio in a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model including fixed effects (age, sex and relevant exposure covariables) and spatial and temporal random effects at individual, household, village, cluster and period levels. This analysis includes 6 cohort visits :

    • baseline at 4 months after SMC1 during year 0;
    • immediately before SMC1/MDA1 during year 1;
    • 2 months after SMC1/MDA1 during year 1;
    • 4 months after SMC1/MDA1 during year 1;
    • immediately MDA3 during year 2;
    • 4 months after MDA3 during year 2.

  2. Subcohort villages parasite reservoir genetic relatedness

    Time frame: year 1, year 2

    Genetic relatedness (identity by descent) between Plasmodium parasites genotyped after detection in individuals presenting symptomatic, Rapid Diagnostic Test-confirmed P. falciparum malaria episodes during the high transmission season or in P. falciparum infected participants in surveys (see primary outcome and secondary outcome 9 and 10).

  3. Subcohort villages parasite reservoir multiplicity of infection

    Time frame: year 1, year 2

    Multiplicity of infection quantified after Plasmodium parasite genotyping in individuals presenting symptomatic, Rapid Diagnostic Test-confirmed P. falciparum malaria episodes during the high transmission season or in P. falciparum infected participants in surveys (see primary outcome and secondary outcome 9 and 10).

  4. Rapid Diagnostic Test positivity rate in youths (15-24 years) participating to targeted control testing activity

    Time frame: Month 2 and Month 3 after MDA1 (step 1) or MDA3 (step 2)

    Intervention arm only: evaluate the number and frequency detection to estimate the potential impact on the reservoir.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement

Other Gov

Collaborators

  • Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal
  • L'université de Thiès
  • Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Niger

Registry information

Official study title

Mass Drug Administration and Targeted Control Against Carriage to Reduce Plasmodium Transmission in the Sahel - Administration de Masse d'Antipaludiques et Lutte ciblée Contre le Portage Pour REduire la Transmission de Plasmodium au Sahel

Acronym: AMARETI

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Dec 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 15, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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