How to strengthen malaria prevention through community

On a sunny afternoon under a tree, a group of Community Health Promoters and local community members have gathered. This informal yet critical meeting is part of an ongoing effort to tackle malaria, one of the most pressing health challenges in the region.

The CHPs, equipped with their knowledge and tools, are guiding the community through a comprehensive malaria control case management. The meeting begins with CHPs offering health education and raising awareness on malaria prevention.

They emphasize importance of recognising signs and symptoms of malaria early and take the community through proven preventive measures like: use and sleeping under insecticide-treated nets which remains one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria, educating the community on the benefits of indoor residual spraying, which kills mosquitoes before they can transmit the disease, and clearing bushes and draining stagnant water which are practical steps to reduce mosquito breeding sites. 

The CHPs then discuss treatment. Community members are reminded of the need to complete the full dosage of malaria medications once prescribed.

.

Keep Reading business

•  Centum Re signs deal to increase solar power output at Two Rivers
•  KRA tightens noose on graft, sends 19 employees home
•  Equity Bank cuts loan interest rates by largest margin yet
•  Kenya exports over 4, 200 tonnes of flowers ahead of Valentine
•  The disconnect between Ajira Digital Program and job market Premium

The CHPs highlight the role of male involvement in supporting early antenatal care visits for pregnant women and postnatal care. Men are encouraged to be active participants in ensuring that pregnant women receive early testing and, if necessary, treatment to prevent complications related to malaria.

The final part of the discussion focuses on tracking malaria cases and encouraging preventive vaccination. The CHPs inform the community about the malaria vaccine, which is administered at six, seven, nine, and twenty-four months to protect children under five from severe malaria.

According to the 2020 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey, seven out of ten Kenyans are at risk of malaria infection, translating to approximately 13 million individuals in endemic areas and another 19 million in seasonal malaria transmission zones.

Busia County, one of the hardest-hit regions, faces a malaria prevalence of 39 per cent, significantly higher than the national prevalence of 6 per cent. Despite the progress made, the community continues to grapple with several challenges, ranging from; Distance to healthcare facilities, where many residents live far from health centres, making it difficult to access timely diagnosis and treatment, provision of consistent medical supplies such as and malaria medication, remains a concern.

Amid the challenges, there are encouraging signs of progress like; community buy-in. The efforts of CHPs have acquired trust from the community, and more people are embracing malaria prevention practices. Positive health outcomes have been noted in reduction in anemia cases, often linked to severe malaria, particularly in pregnant women. 

Amref Health Africa continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health at the national and county level, with an aim to reduce malaria incidence by at least 90 per cent by 2030, which aligns with Kenya’s Malaria Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and the WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030.

To achieve this, Amref is strengthening community health systems, advancing case management, promoting vaccination, supporting advocacy and policy, and enhancing surveillance and data systems. 

-The writer is programme lead, PHC for malaria elimination project at Amref Health Africa in Kenya