AMMnet seminar: Childhood Malaria Trends in Northern Ghana: Evidence of Impact from Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention

Seminar Overview

This presentation explores how Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) has shaped childhood malaria outcomes in northern Ghana where malaria transmission is highly seasonal and children remain at greatest risk. Drawing on nationally representative survey data and epidemiological analysis, the talk connects program implementation to real-world reductions in malaria prevalence, highlighting both direct protective effects and sustained benefits beyond the treatment period. The session emphasizes that SMC not only reduces infection risk but also demonstrates differential impacts across child age groups, with the youngest children experiencing the greatest gains. By linking evidence on intervention effectiveness to broader public health goals, the presentation offers practical insights for policymakers and health partners on how SMC can be optimized through expanded coverage and alignment with local transmission patterns to strengthen child survival strategies in high-burden settings.

Speaker Bio

Abdulzeid Yen Anafo is a mathematician specializing in health statistics, mathematical modeling, and public health research. He is currently a Lecturer at the University of Mines and Technology, Ghana. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Mines and Technology, an MSc in Mathematical Sciences from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and a BSc in Mathematical Sciences from the University for Development Studies, Ghana. Prior to his academic appointment, Abdulzeid served as a Health Statistician at Ghana’s Ministry of Health, where he contributed to data analysis and the evaluation of health interventions. He is also a former postdoctoral fellow with the West Africa Mathematical Modelling Capacity (WAMCAD) program. His current research focuses on mathematical modeling, statistical distribution theory, and the application of machine learning in health.

The recording is also available in French and Portuguese.