Assessing health-seeking behaviour and malaria prevention practices among communities in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract Background Malaria is a preventable disease that causes huge morbidity and mortality in malaria-endemic areas, especially among children and pregnant women. The malaria control programme focuses on the prevention of mosquito bites using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and mosquito aerosol sprays and coils, as well as prevention of severe disease among those infected through prompt and adequate treatment. The success of the malaria control programme in Ghana is dependent on the malaria prevention practices of people in the community. Therefore, this study evaluated the malaria prevention practices of participants in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Ketu South, Nkwanta South, Hohoe Municipality and Ho West districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Questionnaire were administered to adults who consented to each household visited. Questions were asked on the socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices of the households. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 with frequency distribution done for all the variables. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the significant association between socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices, and Multivariate nominal logistic regression analysis was used to model the relationship between dichotomous dependent variables (ITN ownership and usage) and independent variables. Results Out of the 2493 participants; 2234 (89.6%) owned ITN and 1528 (68.4%) used ITN a night before this study, 768 (30.8%) used mosquito aerosol spray and 368 (15%) used mosquito coil. More females significantly owned ITN than males (1293, 92.4%, p ≤ 0.001). Participants from Ketu South had 1.5 times higher odds of owning an ITN compared to Ho West whose odds are not different from Nkwanta South or Hohoe (AOR, 1.56 [95% 1.09–2.22]; p = 0.01). In terms of ITN usage, participants in Nkwanta South were less likely to use ITN compared to the other districts; AOR, 0.434 [95% CI 0.31–0.62, p < 0.001]. Also, of the 668 participants that had a fever within the past 3 days, 268 (40.1%) visited a patent medicine store and 156 (23.4%) visited health facilities. Conclusion There is high ownership of ITNs, but relatively low utilization among the community members. Education on malaria prevention practices should be intensified and continuous among the population of the Volta Region to ensure the success of malaria control in the region.

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Assessing Health Seeking Behaviour and Malaria Prevention Practices Among Communities in Four Districts of the Volta Region of Ghana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-310123/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Verner N. Orish ◽

Raymond Saa-Eru Maalman ◽

Otchere Y. Donkor ◽

Barbara Yordanis Henandez Ceruantes ◽

Eric Osei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Control Program ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Insecticide Treated Nets ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Malaria Control Program ◽

Aerosol Spray ◽

Volta Region

Abstract Background: Malaria is a preventable disease that causes huge morbidity and mortality in malaria-endemic areas especially among children and pregnant women. The malaria control program focuses on the prevention of mosquito bites using Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and mosquito aerosol spray and coil, and prevention of severe disease among those infected through prompt and adequate treatment. The success of the malaria control program in Ghana is dependent on the malaria prevention practices of people in the community. Therefore, this study evaluated the malaria prevention practices of participants in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Ketu South, Nkwanta South, Hohoe Municipality and Ho West districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Questionnaire were administered to adults who consented to each household visited. Questions were asked on the socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices of the households. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 with frequency distribution done for all the variables. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the significant association between socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices, and logistic regression was used to analyze the strength of the association. Result: Of the 668 participants that had a fever within the past 3 days, 268 (40.1%) visited a patent medicine store and 156(23.4%) visited health facilities. Out of the 2493 participants; 2234 (89.6%) owned ITN and 1528 (68.4%) used ITN a night before this study, 768(30.8%) used mosquito aerosol spray and 368 (15%) used mosquito coil. More females significantly owned ITN than males (1293, 92.4%, p ≤0.001). Participants from Ketu South had 1.5 times higher odds of owning an ITN (AOR, 1.56 [95% 1.09-2.22]; p=0.01). Conclusion: There is high ownership of ITNs but relatively low utilization among the community members. Education on malaria prevention practices should be intensified and continuous among the population of the Volta Region to ensure the success of malaria control in the region.

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Pharmacovigilance Practices for Better Healthcare Delivery: Knowledge and Attitude Study in the National Malaria Control Programme of India

Malaria Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2014/837427 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pooja Gupta ◽

Anupkumar R. Anvikar ◽

Neena Valecha ◽

Yogendra K. Gupta

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Large Scale ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

National Malaria Control Programme ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Control Programme ◽

Malaria Control Programme ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adr Reporting

Objective. With large scale rollout of artemisinin based therapy in the National Malaria Control Programme of India, a risk management plan is needed. This depends on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting by the healthcare professionals (HCPs). For the programme to be successful, an understanding of the mindset of HCPs is critical. Hence, the present study was designed to assess and compare the ADR reporting beliefs of HCPs involved in the National Malaria Control Programme of India. Methods. A cross–sectional survey was conducted amongst the HCPs who manage malaria up to the district level in India. A 5-point Likert scale-based questionnaire was developed as a study tool. Results. A total of 154 HCPs participated in the study (age: 42.4 ± 10.1 years with 33.8% being females). About 61% felt that only medically qualified HCPs are responsible for ADR reporting. Likeliness to report in future was mentioned by 45% HCPs. The knowledge score was relatively lower for life science graduates (P=0.09). Knowledge correlated positively with attitude (r2=0.114; P<0.0001). Conclusion. Based on the caveats identified, a specific and targeted in-service education with hands-on training on ADR monitoring and reporting needs to be designed to boost real time pharmacovigilance in India.

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Coverage and use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets in Kpone-on-Sea Township, Accra, Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Second Edition in 2020 of the HSI Journal Volume 1 Issue 2 Publication - Health Sciences Investigations Journal ◽

10.46829/hsijournal.2020.6.1.1.57-63 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 57-63

Author(s):

Setsoafia T Dzata ◽

Nathaniel Coleman ◽

Isabella Quakyi

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

National Malaria Control Programme ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Programme ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Malaria Control Programme ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Insecticide Treated Nets ◽

Mosquito Net ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) are currently one of the most viable options to prevent malaria transmission in Africa. In Ghana, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has embarked on a universal coverage strategy to ensure that all members of the population sleep under an LLIN regardless of age or sex. Objective:This study assessed the NMCP’s LLINs distribution and hanging campaign in Kpone–on–Sea Township. It sought to establish the coverage of LLINs in the community and its usage by children< 5 yr. old and in pregnant women. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 400 households with heads of the households or their representatives as respondents. Data was collected through questionnaire interviews and observational checklists. Frequency tables were used to indicate proportions and Chi Square test for associations. Results: Of the 400 households (represented by a head of the household or an adult representative), 93.30% owned any type of mosquito net and 83.75% owned LLINs and 74.92% used it. Households with children less than 5 yr.old accounted for 69.25% regarding ownership and 69.40% regarding usage. LLINs possession by pregnant women was 84.80% whiles usage was 72.30%. The study also indicated that 73.70% of respondents had good knowledge of malaria, 21.30% had very good knowledge and 5.01% had low knowledge. Furthermore, 89.50% of the respondents had knowledge of LLINs. Conclusion: The general coverage of LLINs in the community was 83.75% and usage was 74.92% 7 mosafter a free distribution and hanging campaign. This provides a useful assessment of NMCP’s LLINs campaign in this community and suggests ways for improvement.

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Ugandan stakeholder hopes and concerns about gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control: new directions for gene drive risk governance

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03682-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Hartley ◽

Robert D. J. Smith ◽

Adam Kokotovich ◽

Chris Opesen ◽

Tibebu Habtewold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Stakeholder Involvement ◽

Control Programme ◽

Local Context ◽

Risk Governance ◽

Malaria Control Programme ◽

Gene Drive ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

New Directions ◽

High Level

Abstract Background The African Union’s High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies identified gene drive mosquitoes as a priority technology for malaria elimination. The first field trials are expected in 5–10 years in Uganda, Mali or Burkina Faso. In preparation, regional and international actors are developing risk governance guidelines which will delineate the framework for identifying and evaluating risks. Scientists and bioethicists have called for African stakeholder involvement in these developments, arguing the knowledge and perspectives of those people living in malaria-afflicted countries is currently missing. However, few African stakeholders have been involved to date, leaving a knowledge gap about the local social-cultural as well as ecological context in which gene drive mosquitoes will be tested and deployed. This study investigates and analyses Ugandan stakeholders’ hopes and concerns about gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control and explores the new directions needed for risk governance. Methods This qualitative study draws on 19 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Ugandan stakeholders in 2019. It explores their hopes for the technology and the risks they believed pertinent. Coding began at a workshop and continued through thematic analysis. Results Participants’ hopes and concerns for gene drive mosquitoes to address malaria fell into three themes: (1) ability of gene drive mosquitoes to prevent malaria infection; (2) impacts of gene drive testing and deployment; and, (3) governance. Stakeholder hopes fell almost exclusively into the first theme while concerns were spread across all three. The study demonstrates that local stakeholders are able and willing to contribute relevant and important knowledge to the development of risk frameworks. Conclusions International processes can provide high-level guidelines, but risk decision-making must be grounded in the local context if it is to be robust, meaningful and legitimate. Decisions about whether or not to release gene drive mosquitoes as part of a malaria control programme will need to consider the assessment of both the risks and the benefits of gene drive mosquitoes within a particular social, political, ecological, and technological context. Just as with risks, benefits—and importantly, the conditions that are necessary to realize them—must be identified and debated in Uganda and its neighbouring countries.

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Local terminology for febrile illnesses in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania and its impact on the design of a community-based malaria control programme

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/0277-9536(95)00293-6 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 42 (7) ◽

pp. 1057-1067 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

P.J. Winch ◽

A.M. Makemba ◽

S.R. Kamazima ◽

M. Lurie ◽

G.K. Lwihula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Control Programme ◽

Malaria Control Programme ◽

Community Based

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Natural resistance and predisposition factors, and their importance for malaria control programme in Brazil

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz ◽

10.1590/s0074-02761986000600007 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 81 (suppl 2) ◽

pp. 43-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Domingos Alves Meira ◽

Paulo Roberto Curi ◽

Benedito Barraviera

Keyword(s):

Malaria Control ◽

Control Programme ◽

Natural Resistance ◽

Malaria Control Programme

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Co-Evolution of the Presence of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets and Plasmodium falciparum Welch, 1897 Prevalence in Cahata Village (Benguela Province, Angola) during a Village Scale Long-Term of Malaria Vector Control Program

Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases ◽

10.9734/ajrid/2021/v7i430223 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 21-32

Author(s):

P. Carnevale ◽

J. C. Toto ◽

V. Foumane ◽

S. Carnevale ◽

F. Gay

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Vector Control ◽

Rebound Effect ◽

Control Program ◽

Control Programme ◽

Malaria Vector Control ◽

Insecticide Treated Nets ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Actual Usage

A long term village scale vector control programme was implemented since 2007 in 8 villages around Balombo town (Benguela Province) to compare the efficacy of 4 methods of vector control (1,2). One of them are deltamethrin treated Long Lasting Nets (“LLIN”) “Perma©Net 2.0” with a complete coverage of every sleeping units in 2008 in 2 villages, Caala and Cahata. Cahata was surveyed for 10 years with regular parasitological cross sectional parasitological surveys. During the 3 years following LLIN implementation, a check of their actual usage in every house, or on sleeping units of each patient examined during every parasitological surveys showed that 3 years after the full LLIN distribution less than 50% were still in use, and this percentage regularly decreased to reach 10% and less in 2015 (with 0% during the survey done in October 2005). But Plasmodium falciparum prevalence still decreased with low level until 2014 then it started (slightly) increasing in 2015, and the following years, which correspond to both the National malaria outbreak and the least percentage of LLIN used! But even at that time the plasmodial load was significantly lower in “LLIN users” than in non users showing some maintained personal protection. Even 10 years after the full coverage in LLIN no rebound effect was actually noticed in such natural conditions of life and plasmodial prevalence was even 2 times lower than before the implementation of vector control. Information gained were of great importance for the National Malaria Control program in term of nets replacement with 50% missing in 3 years underlining the need of “stronger” nets and community sensitization for the sustainability of positive results gained with LLIN.

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