MALARIA Prevention and Control
MALARIA Prevention and Control
Malaria poses the most significant threat to the health of the Ugandans. It is the biggest killer of children under five and is responsible for the majority of miscarriages and maternal health problems. Taking the lives of more than one million people each year, malaria is an epidemic largely affecting people in sub-Saharan Africa.
The children, adults, and elderly of Uganda are more of those affected by the disease.
Besides, malaria also has a great impact on the economic development of the country. The malaria menace, therefore, must be vigorously and aggressively tackled as an emergency.
In Uganda between twenty-five and forty percent of outpatient visits at health facilities in the country are for malaria. For Ugandan children, malaria is the primary cause of death. With high prevalence and great severity, the prevention of malaria is of extreme importance.
Emphasis on control and preventive approaches in the elimination of the mosquitoes should be accorded priority. Use of preventive measures could be an effective and cost-effective means against malaria.
Capacity strengthening of rural communities, and the various actors that support them, is needed to enable them to lead their own malaria control programmes. Here the existing capacity of a rural community should be evaluated in preparation for a larger intervention.
Methods like Focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews should be carried out in households to determine demographics of respondent and household, socio-economic status of the household, knowledge and beliefs about malaria (symptoms, prevention methods, mosquito life cycle), typical practices used for malaria prevention, the treatment-seeking behaviour and household expenditure for community malaria prevention and control.
In preventing and controlling malaria, both scientific knowledge and traditional beliefs, should be combined with socio-economic circumstances, leading to effective malaria prevention. Interventions like bush clearing and various hygienic measures should be emphasized for effective malaria prevention control.
Culturally sensitive but evidence-based education interventions, utilizing participatory tools, traditional beliefs which enable understanding of causal connections between mosquito ecology, parasite transmission and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease should be considered. Community-based organizations and schools should be equipped with knowledge through partnerships with national and international research and tertiary education institutions so that evidence-based research can be applied at the grassroots level.
Malaria poses the most significant threat to the health of the Ugandans. It is the biggest killer of children under five and is responsible for the majority of miscarriages and maternal health problems. Taking the lives of more than one million people each year, malaria is an epidemic largely affecting people in sub-Saharan Africa.
The children, adults, and elderly of Uganda are more of those affected by the disease.
Besides, malaria also has a great impact on the economic development of the country. The malaria menace, therefore, must be vigorously and aggressively tackled as an emergency.
In Uganda between twenty-five and forty percent of outpatient visits at health facilities in the country are for malaria. For Ugandan children, malaria is the primary cause of death. With high prevalence and great severity, the prevention of malaria is of extreme importance.
Emphasis on control and preventive approaches in the elimination of the mosquitoes should be accorded priority. Use of preventive measures could be an effective and cost-effective means against malaria.
Capacity strengthening of rural communities, and the various actors that support them, is needed to enable them to lead their own malaria control programmes. Here the existing capacity of a rural community should be evaluated in preparation for a larger intervention.
Methods like Focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews should be carried out in households to determine demographics of respondent and household, socio-economic status of the household, knowledge and beliefs about malaria (symptoms, prevention methods, mosquito life cycle), typical practices used for malaria prevention, the treatment-seeking behaviour and household expenditure for community malaria prevention and control.
In preventing and controlling malaria, both scientific knowledge and traditional beliefs, should be combined with socio-economic circumstances, leading to effective malaria prevention. Interventions like bush clearing and various hygienic measures should be emphasized for effective malaria prevention control.
Culturally sensitive but evidence-based education interventions, utilizing participatory tools, traditional beliefs which enable understanding of causal connections between mosquito ecology, parasite transmission and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease should be considered. Community-based organizations and schools should be equipped with knowledge through partnerships with national and international research and tertiary education institutions so that evidence-based research can be applied at the grassroots level.
posted by mwesigye herbert at 9:52 AM
2 Comments:
You wrote a very valid argument. Socio-cultural factors are important to control or prevent malaria.
Excellent discussion on malaria prevention ! Emphasizing community involvement and integrating traditional knowledge is key. Effective prevention from Disease Causing saves lives and supports economic growth.
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