Impact of Combined Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria and Helminths on Anemia, Sustained Attention, and Recall in Northern Ghanaian Schoolchildren

This study evaluated three arms of combined preventive malaria and deworming treatment and their effect on anemia and learning outcomes for schoolchildren in Northern Ghana. In Arm 1, children received preventive medication for malaria and helminths; Arm 2 was given malaria, helminth, and schistosomiasis medication; and Arm 3 received only helminth and schistosomiasis medication. It was found that the combination of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria and parasitic worms resulted in a reduction of anemia incidence and enhanced attention and recall for schoolchildren.