Use of antimalarial drugs in Zimbabwe.

Malaria is a world-wide problem which is estimated to contribute to 2.3% of global disease' and is an increasing problem, particularly in developing countries.2 In Zimbabwe, the development of widespread resistance to antimalarial drugs has been prevented through a comprehensive national malaria strategy including the development and enforcement o f national guidelines tor the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria. However, in recent years numerous anecdotal accounts have circulated in the private sector of failure of malaria chcmoprophylax is and treatment. This study set out to explore the use of antimalarial drugproducts amongst doctors and pharmacists so as to identify potential problems requiring further investigation. A cross sectional survey (March to August 1998) using pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires was performed. Respondents were asked to report on, amongst otherthings, first and second choices for prophylaxis and treatment (doctors only) o f malaria, and experience with “breakthrough” cases (prophylaxis failure). Questionnaires were posted to random samples of 70 doctors (10% sample) and 100 pharmacies (5% sample) throughout Zimbabwe. There was no follow up to increase response rates.