Key Findings from the 2009 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey

The 2009 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey (LMIS)

Anemia Prevalence in Children
assessed malaria knowledge, prevention, and treat- Percent of children 6-59 months with moderate or severe anemia Over three-quarters (78%) of household
ment practices and malaria and anemia prevalence. nets were obtained for free.
47
Over 4,000 households were interviewed, and about 42 43 41
35 34
4,000 children were tested for both anemia and ma- 28 Use of ITNs
25
laria. Percent of children and women who slept
under an ITN the night before the survey
Malaria Prevalence in Children
Percent of children age 6-59 months testing
positive for malaria by microscopy 6-8 9-11 12-17 18-23 24-35 36-47 48-59 Total
Age in months 6-59 33
29
40 41 26
34 Anemia is a common symptom of malaria infection.
32
24 More than 60% of children under age 5 have some
23
15 degree of anemia, while 34% have moderate or se-
8 vere anemia (shown above). Anemia is most com-
mon in younger children. Children All women Pregnant
under 5 15-49 women 15-49
6-8 9-11 12-17 18-23 24-35 36-47 48-59 Total
Age in months 6-59 Children and pregnant women are the most vulner-
Over 90% of women know that malaria able to malaria. Only about one-quarter of children
Almost one-third of children under age five tested can be avoided and among them, 76% know and one-third of pregnant women slept under an
positive for malaria according to blood smears. Ma- that using mosquito nets can prevent malaria. ITN the night before the survey.
laria is most common in older children.
Children’s Use of ITNs by Region
Prevalence of Malaria Percent of children under age five who slept
in Children by Region Ownership of ITNs by Region under an ITN the night before the survey
(testing by microscopy) Percent of households
with at least one ITN
Overall, 47% of Less than 1 in five
Malaria prevalence Liberian households children under
North is highest in North North
own at least one North age 5 in Monrovia
Western
Western
North Central Central and South 63% North Central
insecticide-treated
Western
North Central and South Central
28% 32%
42% Eastern B regions. It 57%
net (ITN). ITN 29% region slept under
South
South is least common in Central ownership is lowest
South an ITN the night
Central Monrovia Central
Monrovia
24% Monrovia. 34% 32% in Monrovia and
Monrovia
17% before the survey.
15% 20%
South South South Central South
Eastern A Eastern A region. Eastern A
27% 61% South 35%
South South
Eastern B Eastern B Eastern B
35% 66% 36%
 Intermittent Preventive Treatment For more information on the results of the 2009
of Pregnant Women Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey, please contact:
Percent of women pregnant in the two years before
In Liberia:
the survey, based on their last birth
National Malaria Control Program 2009 Liberia
65 Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
58
47
55
45 Capiol By-Pass, P.O. Box 10-9009 Malaria Indicator
1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia
Telephone: 231-651-6577
Survey (LMIS)
Email: jjonesdr@yahoo.com
Took any Took any Took 2+ Received Received 2+
antimalarial SP/Fansidar doses SP/Fansidar doses of In USA:
SP/Fansidar during ANC SP/Fansidar MEASURE DHS
visit during ANC visit
ICF Macro
11785 Beltsville Drive
Pregnant women should receive at least two doses of
Calverton, MD 20705 USA
the antimalarial SP/Fansidar during an antenatal visit
Telephone: 301-572-0200
to prevent malaria. Almost half (45%) of pregnant
Fax: 301-572-0999
women received this recommended treatment.
www.measuredhs.com

Treatment of Fever in Children

Percent among children under 5 with fever
Key Findings
in the 2 weeks before the survey

More than one- The 2009 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey (LMIS) was
29%
third of children implemented by the National Malaria Control Program
received
antimalarial, with fever received of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW).
33% an antimalarial the
no antimalarial 2+ days The Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information
received after fever day of or day after Services (LISGIS) assisted in the design of the survey,
the fever. ACT and as well as the training and monitoring of data collec-
38%
received
Chloroquine were tion staff. The Laboratory at the China-Liberia Malaria
the most commonly Center implemented the microscopic reading of malaria
antimalarial the slides. Technical assistance was provided by ICF Macro,
same or next day used antimalarials.
an ICF International company, through the worldwide
MEASURE DHS program. Funding was provided by
the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) through the MEASURE DHS program, and the
President’s Malaria Initiative.

Response rates and methodology:

Malaria and anemia testing were carried out on all children age 6-59
months living in selected households. Malaria testing was done through
both Paracheck rapid diagnostic blood testing, as well as blood smear
microscopy. Anemia testing was carried out on a blood drop using the
HemoCue system. Of the 4,110 eligible children, 98% provided blood spots
for anemia and malaria testing.