Feedback and recommendations during meetings with stakeholders
malaria, PDR, CNM, confusion
MALARIA, DRUG INTERACTIONS, MALARIA
Several discussions took place with CNM at the initial stage to develop the trial protocol (Table Feedback and decisions from engagement meetings• Recommendation that Siem Pang district bordering with southern Lao PDR as suitable study site based on malaria transmission and forest coverage• Choice of trial drugs: artemether-lumefantrine (AL) as antimalarial prophylaxis and multivitamin (MV) as control• Frequency and duration of antimalarial drug administration as prophylaxis• To form a joint team to conduct engagement activities with villagers and forest goers• To use the words “Health Project” instead of “Research Project” while explaining the trial to participants to avoid confusion and misunderstanding within the community• To simplify the trial information using posters and pictorial messages• To explain in detail the safety of the trial drugs, to clarify the possible side effects that may occur after taking them, to explain the side effects that may not be related but participants may associate with the trial drug, to ensure support is available for any side effects experienced by participants• To address any rumours or concerns that may occur during the trial period by the joint engagement team in the community• Participants wondered why the yellow medicine (AL) had so many tablets (4 per dose) compared to the pink one (MV)• • Participants asked if the drug is the same as the one used for malaria treatment in the health centres• Forest goers wondered how long the drug remains in the body and how it works• Female participants asked if they could take the study drug while using a contraceptive drug regularly• Forest goers wanted to know if the study drug can be dangerous or poisonous• Participants wanted to know if they can continue smoking tobacco and drinking alcoholWe listed the possible queries that may arise from villagers and forest goers. Responses to the queries were prepared in advance and agreed with members of joint engagement team before approaching the villagers and the communityWe explained that the drugs are safe and millions of patients have already used them among all age groups. Participants who are pregnant and below 16 years were not included because the National Malaria Control Program first wanted to know whether the proposed antimalarial prophylaxis is effective, safe, and acceptable to the community and in adult participantsParticipants were advised to avoid drinking alcohol while taking study drugs and female participants were advised to ask their partners to use condoms to avoid any drug interactions with contraceptive medication