{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,23]],"date-time":"2026-08-23T23:20:24Z","timestamp":1787527224946,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781481600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787529600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":70,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases","award":["Postgraduate Training Scheme on Implementation Research."],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Postgraduate Training Scheme on Implementation Research."]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Malar J"],"DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T05:55:12Z","timestamp":1781502912000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["\u201cWe are not sick, so why take medicine?\u201d Community perspectives on barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies for IPTsc in Ghana"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"Joseph","family":"Sam","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Emmanuel","family":"Asampong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Harriet Affran","family":"Bonful","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dora","family":"Dadzie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mahnaz","family":"Vahedi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"5997_CR1","unstructured":"World Health Organization. World Malaria Report 2025: Addressing the threat of antimalarial drug resistance. World Health Organization. 2025. https:\/\/iris.who.int\/."},{"key":"5997_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Shretta R, Liu J, Cotter C, Cohen J, Dolenz C. Malaria elimination and eradication. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development\/The World Bank, Washington (DC). 2017. https:\/\/https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1596\/978-1-4648-0524-0_ch12","DOI":"10.1596\/978-1-4648-0524-0_ch12"},{"key":"5997_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0004386","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pgph.0004386","volume":"5","author":"F Chacky","year":"2025","unstructured":"Chacky F, Hicks JT, Remiji MJ, et al. Trends in malaria prevalence among school-age children in Mainland Tanzania, 2015\u20132023: a multilevel survey analysis. PLOS Global Public Health. 2025;5:e0004386. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pgph.0004386.","journal-title":"PLOS Global Public Health"},{"issue":"13","key":"5997_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e2144","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(25)00325-0","volume":"2025","author":"J Suresh","year":"2025","unstructured":"Suresh J, Zimmermann M, Maiteki C, et al. Effect of malaria chemoprevention for school-age children across transmission archetypes: a modelling study. Lancet Glob Health. 2025;2025(13):e2144\u201352. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2214-109X(25)00325-0.","journal-title":"Lancet Glob Health"},{"key":"5997_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1499","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(20)30325-9","volume":"8","author":"LM Cohee","year":"2020","unstructured":"Cohee LM, Opondo C, Clarke SE, et al. Preventive malaria treatment among school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Lancet Glob Health. 2020;8:e1499\u2013511. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2214-109X(20)30325-9.","journal-title":"Lancet Glob Health"},{"issue":"8","key":"5997_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"537","DOI":"10.1111\/tmi.12374","volume":"5","author":"LM Cohee","year":"2021","unstructured":"Cohee LM, Nankabirwa JI, Greenwood B, Djimde A, Mathanga DP. Time for malaria control in school-age children. Lancet Child Adolescent Health. 2021;5(8):537\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/tmi.12374.","journal-title":"Lancet Child Adolescent Health"},{"key":"5997_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"851","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pcl.2017.03.004","volume":"64","author":"L Cohee","year":"2017","unstructured":"Cohee L. Malaria in Children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2017;64:851\u201366. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pcl.2017.03.004.","journal-title":"Pediatr Clin North Am"},{"key":"5997_CR8","unstructured":"World Health Organization. Updated WHO recommendations for malaria chemoprevention and elimination. In: WHO Guidelines for malaria. 2022. https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/03-06-2022-updated-who-recommendations-for-malaria-chemoprevention-and-elimination."},{"key":"5997_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-015-0988-5","author":"JR Matangila","year":"2015","unstructured":"Matangila JR, Mitashi P, Inoc\u00eancio da Luz RA, Lutumba PT, Van Geertruyden JP. Efficacy and safety of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in schoolchildren: a systematic review. Malar J. 2015. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12936-015-0988-5.","journal-title":"Malar J"},{"key":"5997_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-022-04428-8","author":"G Makenga","year":"2023","unstructured":"Makenga G, Seth MD, Baraka V, et al. Implementation research of a cluster randomized trial evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria using dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine on reducing malaria burden in school-aged children in Tanzania: methodology, challenges, and mitigation. Malar J. 2023. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12936-022-04428-8.","journal-title":"Malar J"},{"key":"5997_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1480907","DOI":"10.3389\/fitd.2025.1480907","volume":"6","author":"C Morlino","year":"2025","unstructured":"Morlino C, Byrne I, Achan J, et al. Barriers to uptake and implementation of malaria chemoprevention in school-aged children: a stakeholder engagement meeting report. Front Trop Dis. 2025;6:1480907. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fitd.2025.1480907.","journal-title":"Front Trop Dis"},{"key":"5997_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.1016\/j.parepi.2018.02.001","volume":"3","author":"MA Thera","year":"2018","unstructured":"Thera MA, Kone AK, Tangara B, Diarra E, Niare S, Dembele A, et al. School-aged children based seasonal malaria chemoprevention using artesunate-amodiaquine in Mali. Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2018;3:96\u2013105. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.parepi.2018.02.001.","journal-title":"Parasite Epidemiol Control"},{"key":"5997_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"962","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(19)30299-3","volume":"19","author":"MK Muhindo","year":"2019","unstructured":"Muhindo MK, Jagannathan P, Kakuru A, et al. Intermittent preventive treatment with dihydroartemisinin\u2013piperaquine and risk of malaria following cessation in young Ugandan children: a double-blind, randomised. Lancet Infect Dis. 2019;19:962\u201372. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S1473-3099(19)30299-3.","journal-title":"Lancet Infect Dis"},{"key":"5997_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Halliday KE, Okello G, Turner EL, Njagi K, Mcharo C, Kengo J, Allen E, Dubeck MM, Jukes MCH, Brooker SJ. Impact of intermittent screening and treatment for malaria among school children in Kenya: a cluster randomised trial. Journals.plos.org. 2014. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pmed.1001594","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1001594"},{"key":"5997_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"339","DOI":"10.1016\/J.IJANTIMICAG.2016.11.017","volume":"49","author":"JR Matangila","year":"2017","unstructured":"Matangila JR, Doua JY, Mitashi P, da Luz RI, Lutumba P, Van Geertruyden JP. Efficacy and safety of intermittent preventive treatment in schoolchildren with sulfadoxine\/pyrimethamine (SP) and SP plus piperaquine in Democratic Republic of the Congo: a randomised controlled trial. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2017;49:339\u201347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/J.IJANTIMICAG.2016.11.017.","journal-title":"Int J Antimicrob Agents"},{"key":"5997_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22561","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-06844-7","volume":"15","author":"MA Mawuli","year":"2025","unstructured":"Mawuli MA, Amoah LE, Sraku IK, Donu D, Abagna HB, Acquah FK, et al. Assessment of the infectivity of malaria parasites from asymptomatic school children to Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in a high transmission area in Ghana. Sci Rep. 2025;15:22561. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-025-06844-7.","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"5997_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/S12889-021-11714-8","author":"BA Mensah","year":"2021","unstructured":"Mensah BA, Myers-Hansen JL, Obeng Amoako E, Opoku M, Abuaku BK, Ghansah A. Prevalence and risk factors associated with asymptomatic malaria among school children: repeated cross-sectional surveys of school children in two ecological zones. BMC Public Health. 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/S12889-021-11714-8.","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"5997_CR18","unstructured":"Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP). NATIONAL MALARIA ELIMINATION STRATEGIC PLAN (NMESP) OF GHANA: 2024\u20132028. Accra. ISBN: 0302661484. 2023"},{"key":"5997_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-023-04712-1","volume":"22","author":"F Ansah","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ansah F, Nyame K, Laryea R, et al. The temporal dynamics of Plasmodium species infection after artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) among asymptomatic children in the Hohoe municipality. Malar J. 2023;22:271. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12936-023-04712-1.","journal-title":"Malar J"},{"key":"5997_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12936-016-1670-2","author":"JR Matangila","year":"2017","unstructured":"Matangila JR, Fraeyman J, Kambulu MLM, Mpanya A, Da Luz RI, Lutumba P, et al. The perception of parents and teachers about intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in school children in a semi-rural area of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Malar J. 2017. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12936-016-1670-2.","journal-title":"Malar J"},{"key":"5997_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Ngere SH, Akelo V, Ondeng\u2019e K, Ridzon R, Otieno P, Nyanjom M, Omore R, Barr BAT. Traditional Medicine Beliefs and Practices among Caregivers of Children under Five Years\u2014The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS), Western Kenya: A qualitative study. PLoS One. 2022;17:e0276735. https:\/\/https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0276735.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0276735"},{"issue":"3","key":"5997_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1177\/146879410100100307","volume":"1","author":"J Attride-Stirling","year":"2001","unstructured":"Attride-Stirling J. Thematic networks: an analytic tool for qualitative research. Qualitative Res. 2001;1(3):85\u2013405. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/146879410100100307.","journal-title":"Qualitative Res"},{"key":"5997_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","volume":"19","author":"A Tong","year":"2007","unstructured":"Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International J Qual Health Care. 2007;19:349\u201357. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042.","journal-title":"International J Qual Health Care"},{"issue":"1","key":"5997_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1186\/S40900-021-00270-5","volume":"7","author":"K Kroese","year":"2021","unstructured":"Kroese K, Ofori BA, Abdulai DR, Monahan M, Prah A, Tabiri S. Community engagement and involvement in Ghana: conversations with community stakeholders to inform surgical research. Res Involv Engagem. 2021;7(1):50. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/S40900-021-00270-5.","journal-title":"Res Involv Engagem"},{"key":"5997_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barker KK. The social construction of illness. Handbook of medical sociology. 2010;147\u2013162.","DOI":"10.2307\/j.ctv16h2n9s.12"},{"key":"5997_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Sixpence A, Vokhiwa M, Kumalakwaanthu W, Pitchford NJ, Seydel KB, Magder LS, Laufer MK, Mathanga DP, Cohee LM. Comparing approaches for chemoprevention for school-based malaria control in Malawi: an open label, randomized, controlled clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2024;76:102832. https:\/\/https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eclinm.2024.102832","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eclinm.2024.102832"},{"key":"5997_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Staedke S, Maiteki-Sebuguzi, Rehman AM, Kigozi SP, Gonahasa S, Okiring J & Drakeley C. Assessment of community-level effects of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in schoolchildren in Jinja, Uganda (START-IPT trial): a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet Glob Health. 2018;6:668\u2013679. https:\/\/https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30126-8.","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(18)30126-8"},{"key":"5997_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Kupferschmidt K. Burkina Faso halts plan to fight malaria with transgenic mosquitoes. Science (1979). 2025;389:960\u2013961. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/SCIENCE.AEB9850","DOI":"10.1126\/SCIENCE.AEB9850"},{"key":"5997_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-017-2031-8","author":"M Sekhon","year":"2017","unstructured":"Sekhon M, Cartwright M, Francis JJ. Acceptability of healthcare interventions: An overview of reviews and development of a theoretical framework. BMC Health Serv Res. 2017. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-017-2031-8.","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"key":"5997_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2269","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjgh-2019-002269","volume":"5","author":"V Ridde","year":"2020","unstructured":"Ridde V, P\u00e9rez D, Robert E. Using implementation science theories and frameworks in global health. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5:2269. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjgh-2019-002269.","journal-title":"BMJ Glob Health"},{"key":"5997_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101832","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cedpsych.2019.101832","volume":"60","author":"D Schunk","year":"2020","unstructured":"Schunk D, DiBenedetto M. Motivation and social cognitive theory. Contemp Educ Psychol. 2020;60:101832. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cedpsych.2019.101832.","journal-title":"Contemp Educ Psychol"}],"container-title":["Malaria Journal"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,23]],"date-time":"2026-08-23T23:13:55Z","timestamp":1787526835000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["5997"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12936-026-05997-8","relation":{},"ISSN":["1475-2875"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1475-2875","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"assertion":[{"value":"23 March 2026","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"9 June 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"15 June 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","label":"Competing interests","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}}],"article-number":"304"}}