scholarly journals Seeking Research Questions from Implementers: Considerations for Leveraging Ground Actors Research Needs in the Fight against Malaria in West Africa.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié

Abstract In Sahel countries in West Africa malaria remains a public health scourge. To strengthen the fight against malaria, weaknesses, and solutions must be identified before programs implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaborations between decision-makers and researchers. This project was undertaken in the framework of the regional World Bank funded project titled: Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel (SM/NTD). The objectives of this World Bank program are to identifying bottlenecks in program implementation as well as the related research questions they enticed. National malaria control program managers and prioritization workshops were used as working method to identify research questions. These identified priority research questions were implemented in selected countries. The results of this study showed that priority issues were related to prevention, governance, drugs, monitoring, and evaluation of programs. The first five priority questions were related to (1) factors of compliance with drug doses for the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in under 5 years-old children, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. In conclusion, this work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programs managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. Furthermore, the results of this study will contribute to improve the implementation of malaria control programs across African countries.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié

Abstract In the Sahel countries of West Africa, malaria remains a public health scourge. To strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions before programs implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a project undertaken by the World Bank, titled: Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel (SM/NTD). The objectives of this World Bank project were to identify bottlenecks in malaria program implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. Questionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Program managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. Identified research questions were implemented in selected countries and the results, as presented in this study showed that priority issues were those related to prevention, governance, drugs, monitoring and evaluation. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. In conclusion, this work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programs managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. Furthermore, the results of this study will contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programs across African countries.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié

Abstract Malaria, a parasitic infection, still a major public health threat and hence a heavy economic burden that hampers the development of countries especially in West Africa. Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) altogether are now the third leading cause of death in ECOWAS region with 77% of deaths in children under 5 years due to malaria. Countries and partners set ambitious goals for reducing the burden and eliminating malaria by 2030. To achieve these goals, West African countries program managers and researchers are engaged in a series of activities to address practical bottlenecks. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaboration between malaria program implementation and research needs in West African countries, related to malaria. It describes the crucial role and process managers and researchers can play in these countries, in assuring the identification of research related program implementation issues as well as solutions to those barriers in order to alleviate the burden. Identifying research questions pertaining to each program through an implementation science approach, integrating health delivery and innovative approach to bottlenecks, and decision support to promote joint optimization of activities for malaria elimination. Managers and researcher discussed together programs difficulties being encountered and highlighted key research questions to be addressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete S. Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire D. Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié

Abstract Background To strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions in order to improve programmes implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a World Bank project (Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel, SM/NTD). The objectives of this paper were to identify bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. Methods Questionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Programme managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. The bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation were identified in seven thematic areas namely governance, human resources, drugs, service provision, use of prevention methods, monitoring and evaluation (M and E), and public support or buy-in. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. Results and conclusion This work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programmes managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. The responses to these identified research questions of this study may contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programmes across African countries.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tete Sitou Amouh ◽  
Saidou Malam Ekoye ◽  
Césaire Damien Ahanhanzo ◽  
Tinga Robert Guiguemdé ◽  
Issiaka Sombié

Abstract BackgroundTo strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions in order to improve programmes implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a World Bank project (Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel, SM/NTD). The objectives of this paper were to identify bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. MethodsQuestionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Programme managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. The bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation were identified in seven thematic areas namely governance, human resources, drugs, service provision, use of prevention methods, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and public support or buy-in. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. Results and ConclusionThis work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programmes managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. The responses to these identified research questions of this study may contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programmes across African countries.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocio Sáenz ◽  
Richard A. Bissell ◽  
Francisco Paniagua

AbstractIntroduction:In recent years, controversy has surrounded the issue of whether infectious disease should be considered a serious potential consequence of natural disasters. This article contributes to this debate with evidence of a significant outbreak of malaria in Costa Rica's Atlantic region after the 1991 earthquake and subsequent floods.Methods:This study is an epidemiologic investigation of the incidence of malaria for the periods of 22 months before the April 1991 Limon earthquake and for 13 months afterward. Data were obtained from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health's malaria control program.Results:Some of the cantons in the region experienced increases in the incidence of malaria as high as 1,600% and 4,700% above the average monthly rate for the pre-earthquake period (p ≤0.01). Causal mechanisms are postulated as relating to changes in human behavior (increased exposure to mosquitoes while sleeping outside, and a temporary pause in malaria control activities), changes in the habitat that were beneficial to mosquito breeding (landslide deforestation, river damming, and rerouting), and the floods of August 1991.Conclusions:It is recommended that there be enhanced awareness of the potential consequences of disaster-wrought environmental changes.Date of Event: 22 April 1991; Type: Earthquake, 7.4 Richter scale; Location: Costa Rica; Number of deaths and casualties: 54 deaths and 505 moderate to severe injuries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-179
Author(s):  
Pramod Singh GC ◽  
P K Pokharel

Background: Malaria is one of the public health problems in Nepal. It is estimated that 25% of population of Nepal are infected by malaria at any time. Malaria control program was first initiated in 1954 with support of USAID through the Insect Born Disease Control Program. This program was changed into Malaria Eradication Program in 1958. The program was reverted to control program in 1978.Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of insecticide spraying from the provider’s perspective in a Terai district of eastern Nepal.Methods: Morang District of eastern Terai was purposively selected. A pre-tested interview was used to collect data from program managers and government officers in the Malaria Control Program. The main categories of variables were manpower, insecticide, pump and others.Results: The cost for indoor residual spraying per person protected was calculated as Rs.24.70 (US$0.31). This cost was for one cycle and there were two cycles in a year. So the cost per year was Rs.49.40 (US$0.62). The cost per household was calculated as Rs. 129.56 (US$1.65) per cycle and Rs.259.12 and US$3.30 per year for residual spraying.Conclusion: In this cost analysis of indoor residual spraying, the cost per household per year was found Rs. 259.12 and US$3.30. The cost calculated per person protected per year was Rs. 49.40 and US$0.62. This analysis would be more complete if a comparative study of both costs and effectiveness of various vector control measures are undertaken in Nepal.Health Renaissance 2014;12(3): 175-179


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