The Soul Beat 195 - Communicating for Malaria Control, Prevention and Treatment in Africa
- Soul Beat Africa MALARIA THEMESITE AND ONLINE NETWORKING SPACE...
- Making BED NET distribution and uptake more effective...
- Community participation and mobilisation for MALARIA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT...
- Join the online discussion on the IMPACT OF MALARIA COMMUNICATION...
- Getting community support for INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAYING...
- Links to MALARIA PROJECTS AND RESOURCES ON THE MALARIA THEME SITE...
- MALARIA IN PREGNANCY successes and challenges...
In anticipation of World Malaria Day on April 25, this issue of The Soul Beat e-newsletter looks at strategies and lessons learned in relation to communication and malaria prevention, treatment, and control. It includes a selection of studies, reports and resources featured on the Soul Beat Africa Malaria theme site (see more info below) - with a particular focus on insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNS), diagnosis and treatment, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and malaria in pregnancy - that highlight the importance of communication when implementing malaria interventions.
If you would like your organisation's communication work or research and resource documents to be featured on the Soul Beat Africa website and in The Soul Beat newsletters, please send information to soulbeat@comminit.com
To subscribe to The Soul Beat, click here or send an email to soulbeat@comminit.com with a subject of "subscribe".
SOUL BEAT AFRICA MALARIA KNOWLEDGE AND NETWORKING ONLINE PLATFORM
The Soul Beat Africa Malaria themesite and online networking platform is for practitioners utilising social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) for malaria prevention, control, and treatment in Africa. The malaria themesite offers a growing collection of practical tools, research and resources and is accompanied by a bi-monthly e-magazine (see archives here). This Malaria initiative is supported by the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and C-Change (a project of FHI 360) and is implemented by Soul Beat Africa.
To subscribe to the Malaria e-newsletter (published every two months) click here (and select Malaria under Development Issue) or you can email soulbeat@comminit.com with your details and we will add you to the Malaria mailing list.
In addition, please join the Malaria Online Network.
INSECTICIDE-TREATED BED NETS (ITNS)
1. Assessing the Effect of a Combined Malaria Prevention Education and Free Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets Program on Self-Reported Malaria Among Children in a Conflict-Affected Setting in Northern Uganda
April 2010
This research report, published by RTI International Press, shares findings of a study to examine whether a concerted malaria prevention education effort is associated with reduced malaria disease burden among children under the age of 5 years residing in conflict-affected settings in Northern Uganda. The results from this survey show significantly lower rates of reported malaria among children under 5 years who were residing in an intervention camp where the distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) was combined with a prevention education campaign, in contrast to a camp in which nets were distributed without education. This suggests that including enhanced malaria prevention education as an integral component of ITN distribution programmes could help promote the use of malaria prevention methods and help stem malaria infections.
2. The Effect of Household Heads Training About the Use of Treated Bed Nets on the Burden of Malaria and Anaemia in Under-five Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial in Ethiopia
January 2012
This article, published in the Malaria Journal, shares findings of a study to assess the effect of community empowerment on the burden of malaria and anaemia in under-five children in Ethiopia. According to the article, long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLITN) have demonstrated a significant effect in reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality. However, barriers to the utilisation of LLITN have hampered the desired outcomes. According to the study, training of household heads on proper use of LLITNs must accompany net distribution in order to significantly reduce the burden of malaria in under-five children.
3. Relationship Between Care-givers' Misconceptions and Non-use of ITNs by Under-five Nigerian Children
June 2010
Published in the Malaria Journal, this article explores misconceptions about malaria causes and prevention as determinants of ownership and use of ITNs. While ITNs have shown to be cost-effective in the prevention of malaria, the number of people actually using these nets remains generally low. The researchers found that misconceptions about causes and prevention of malaria by caregivers adversely influence the use of ITN by under-five children, and suggest that appropriate communication strategies should correct these misconceptions.
4. System Effectiveness of a Targeted Free Mass Distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets in Zanzibar, Tanzania
June 2010
Published in the Malaria Journal, this article shares findings from a study evaluating outcomes of a mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets and long-lasting insecticidal nets in Zanzibar and Tanzania, four to nine months after implementation. According to the research article, the high coverage of ITNs observed in the study may have been due to prior exposure of the population to community sensitisation and information, education, and communication (IEC) strategies advocating for ITN use.
5. The Alliance for Malaria Prevention: A Toolkit for Mass Distribution Campaigns to Increase Coverage and use of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (Second Edition)
Published by Alliance for Malaria Prevention (AMP), this toolkit provides a step-by-step guideline for the planning and implementation of mass long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) distributions, whether for specific population groups or for universal coverage. It includes information on coordination, planning and budgeting, procurement, logistics, communication, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting results, and sustaining gains.
PLEASE SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK
We would love to get your feedback on some of the knowledge shared in this newsletter. After you have clicked on the links provided, at the bottom of each Soul Beat Africa webpage you will see a star rating option as well as a comments form. Please rate the content and/or let us know what you think by sending a brief comment through the comments form. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated and will help us to better support your work.
You can also send any general comments to soulbeat@comminit.com We would love to hear from you!
Please also circulate the summaries you like to your networks by, for example, "liking" or sharing the summary to your Facebook page or by spreading the word through Twitter.
MALARIA DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
6. Community Acceptability of Use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Malaria by Community Health Workers in Uganda
July 2010
Published in the Malaria Journal, this article shares findings of a study to assess community acceptability of the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) by Ugandan community health workers (CHWs), locally referred to as community medicine distributors (CMDs). According to the article, many malaria endemic countries plan to introduce artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) at community level using CHWs for treatment of uncomplicated malaria, but use of ACT with reliance on presumptive diagnosis may lead to excessive use, increased costs, and rise of drug resistance. Use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) could address these challenges but only if the communities will accept their use by CHWs. The article suggests that a well-designed behaviour change communication strategy is needed to address the anticipated programmatic challenges as well as community fears and stigma about drawing blood.
7. Retrospective Analysis of School Based Malaria Treatment Programme and Impact on Health and Education Outcomes in Mangochi District, Malawi
March 2010
This report details the results of an evaluation of Save the Children's school-based malaria treatment programme in primary schools in Malawi's Mangochi district. As part of this programme, up to three teachers per school were trained to identify and treat children with malaria. These trainings focused on helping teachers communicate to students the need to attend school even when sick and to tell teachers as soon as they fell ill. Training also included strategies to persuade students to take medications as needed. According to the report, the study demonstrated that properly implemented, school-based malaria interventions lead to improved educational outcomes and that, with training, teachers were able to successfully manage and treat children and keep necessary records.
8. Mobilize Against Malaria: Lessons Learned from Ghana
April 2011
This report shares lessons learned from the Mobilize Against Malaria (MAM) initiative in Ghana, which worked to improve malaria symptom recognition, treatment, and referral through training activities, while supporting community mobilisation activities to strengthen the demand for prompt and effective malaria treatment. Specifically the programme sought to strengthen private-public partnerships through the training of license chemical sellers. According to the report, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, over 1,000 Licensed Chemical Sellers received training and professional support to play a greater role in their communities' health care as part of the project. In addition, through public awareness campaigns on the radio and through community meetings, families are learning the facts about malaria and why utilising local healthcare is so critical.
9. Community Case Management of Malaria in Urban Settings: A Feasibility Study in Five African Sites
2011
This report, published by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) World Health Organisation, describes lessons learned in five African cities using community case management of malaria (CCMm) to provide artemesinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for children less than five years of age. This approach is an established route of distribution of anti-malaria drugs in rural areas, but the feasibility and acceptability of the approach in urban areas has not been explored. The study used community medicine distributors (CMDs) and was conducted in Ghana (two cities), and in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Malawi. The investigators found that quality of services delivered by CMDs and adherence by caregivers are similar to those seen in rural CCMm settings. The proportion of cases seen by CMDs, however, tended to be lower than was generally seen in rural CCMm. Urban CCMm is feasible, but it struggles against other sources of established healthcare providers. Each country provides specific lessons learned in that environment.
MALARIA ONLINE DISCUSSION: "IMPACT OF MALARIA COMMUNICATION - PROCESSES, CHALLENGES and SUCCESSES"
Malaria No More has shared with us their experiences of measuring the impact of their work on the Nightwatch communications campaign. As stated in their submission, communications work calls to mind the adage that “not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” They go on to talk about their indicators for success and outline some of the challenges to compiling and presenting concrete indicators of success.
To read more, to comment, or to contribute your own experiences, click here (if you are already a member, you may need to log in).
If you are not a member, please join our Online Malaria Social network by registering here (and select Malaria Network).
INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAYING (IRS)
10. What Drives Community Adherence to Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Against Malaria in Manhiça District, Rural Mozambique: A Qualitative Study
October 2011
According to this article, published in the Malaria Journal, the National Malaria Control Programme has been reporting high coverage rates of indoor residual spraying in Mozambique. This article shares findings of research conducted to understand the implementation process, reception, and acceptability of the IRS programme in Manhiça district, Southern Mozambique, as well as explore the factors associated with adherence, in order to recommend suitable approaches for interventions. The study found that most neighbourhoods received IRS well and that the overall coverage rates varied between 29% and 41% throughout the study period. The factors related to adherence to IRS were: immediate impact on insects in general, trust and obedience in the health authority, community leaders' influence, and acquaintance with the sprayers.
11. A Communication Toolkit for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Campaign
This document summarises the national communication strategy that was used to accompany IRS activities in Uganda. It considers the generic communication needs applicable to all spray exercises and the unique communication issues raised by implementing IRS with the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT.) Produced by the Malaria Control Program of the Ministry of Health, with support from the Health Communication Partnership, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the purpose of this toolkit is to help ensure IRS exercises in Uganda are complemented with proven communication approaches.
MALARIA PROJECTS AND RESOURCES ON SOUL BEAT AFRICA MALARIA THEMESITE
In addition to the research documents and reports featured in this newsletter, the malaria themesite features a section on Malaria PROGRAMME EXPERIENCES as well as a section on MALARIA RESOURCES (which includes manuals, training guides and toolkits related to malaria communication).
12. Malaria in Pregnancy Case Study: Senegal - Senegal's Successes and Remaining Challenges for Malaria in Pregnancy Programming
July 2011
This case study shares findings and lessons learned from malaria in pregnancy programming (MIP) in Senegal, which is considered "high performing" in this area, and likely to have applied successful strategies or best practices that could potentially be adapted and replicated in other malaria-endemic countries. Conducted by the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), with support from the President's Malaria Initiative, the case study found that Senegal has achieved a moderate to high level of implementation of essential MIP programme components. Major strengths have been observed in the areas of integration, policy development and implementation, capacity building, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and community awareness and involvement.
13. A Malaria in Pregnancy Country Case Study: Malawi - Malawi’s Successes and Remaining Challenges for Malaria in Pregnancy Programming
September 2011
This second case study by the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) shares findings and lessons learned from MIP programming in Malawi. According to the report, Malawi was selected for the case study based on its progress on two MIP-related indicators: Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) uptake and insecticide treated net (ITN) use, as well as its widespread malaria endemicity. The case study discusses several of Malawi's practices in programming which can serve as models for and be adapted to other country situations. These include a well-developed information, education and communication (IEC) strategy with creative platforms for effective communication of malaria messages.
14. Peer Education: The Effects on Knowledge of Pregnancy Related Malaria and Preventive Practices in Women of Reproductive Age in Edo State, Nigeria
August 2011
This study, published by the BMC Public Health journal, explored peer-to-peer education as a tool in raising knowledge of malaria in pregnancy (MIP) among women of child bearing age. According to the article, there is limited uptake of measures to prevent malaria by pregnant women in Nigeria, which often relates to lack of knowledge. In the study, 1105 women of childbearing age were interviewed in their households using a structured questionnaire about their knowledge of malaria in general, MIP, and use of preventive measures. A peer education campaign was then launched to raise the level of knowledge in the community. The interviews were repeated after the campaign and the responses between the pre- and post-intervention were compared. According to the article, the peer education campaign had a significant impact in raising the level of knowledge among the women.
15. Preventing Malaria in Pregnancy Through Community-directed Interventions: Evidence from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2011
Published in the Malaria Journal, this article shares findings of a study to assess the degree to which community-directed interventions (CDI) can improve access to malaria prevention in pregnancy. According to the article, despite massive anti-malaria campaigns across the subcontinent, effective access to intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) among pregnant women remain low in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Under the CDI programme, volunteer community-directed distributors (CDDs) were appointed by each village and family clans in the treatment areas and trained to deliver ITNs and IPTp drugs as well as basic counseling services to pregnant women. The results presented in this article suggest that the inclusion of community-based programmes can substantially increase effective access to malaria prevention, and also increase access to formal health care access in general, and antenatal care attendance in particular in combination with supply side interventions.
Past editions of The Soul Beat on Malaria:
The Soul Beat # 181 - Malaria Communication
The Soul Beat # 150 - Malaria and Communication in Africa
To view ALL past editions of The Soul Beat e-newsletter, click here.
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