In Nigeria, malaria is a leading cause of death. When faced with symptoms of malaria, over half of Nigerians visit chemists and patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) for treatment. Due to their widespread presence, particularly in rural areas, PPMVs represent a valuable human resource for malaria case management. However, recent studies have shown that that the malaria treatment provided by most PPMVs, who often have a secondary school education and no clinical background, is poor. Many PPMVs are members of their local PPMV Associations, which have unique influence among the PPMV population and could be powerful partners in improving malaria treatment practices among this population. Yet little is known about the PPMV Associations' operations and their interest in taking on an enhanced role in monitoring and strengthening their members' capacity.

Strengthening Patent Medicine Vendors' Associations in Nigeria for Improved Malaria Management (SPANIMM) Project is an operations research program being conducted by the West African Infectious Disease Institute in partnership with Future Health Systems Research Group at University of Ibadan and Niger Delta University. The program, funded by ExxonMobil, seeks to cost-effectively improve the management of malaria among PPMVs in Nigeria by engaging PPMV Associations in the training and monitoring of their members.

The first phase of the SPANIMM program was conducted in June and July 2013 in two Nigerian states: Oyo and Bayelsa. Two rural local government areas (LGAs) in each state were randomly selected from a list of rural LGAs. Within each LGA, the key study populations were the LGA PPMV Associations, the PPMV members of the PPMV Association, and clients utilizing PPMV fever/malaria treatment services.

In Phase 1, SPANIMM sought to:

1. Determine malaria testing and treatment knowledge and practices of rural registered PPMVs,
2. Determine rural LGA PPMV Associations' capacity, operations and interest in improving malaria testing and treatment provided by PPMV shops,
3. Determine key stakeholders' opinions about PPMVs' potential enhanced role in malaria testing and treatment, and
4. Recommend interventions for rural PPMV Association capacity-building.

Read the Report:

• SPANIMM Phase One Summary
• SPANIMM Phase One Full Report

Learn More:

• West African Infectious Diseases Institute in Abuja, Nigeria
• Championing African Researchers