Abstract
BackgroundAs per the World Malaria Report 2011, there was a 17% reduction in morbidity and 26% reduction in mortality in 2010, compared to 2000. In Bhutan, there were only 194 malaria cases in 2011 as compared to 5,935 cases in 2000. As the country moves towards an elimination phase, educating the community and empowering them on malaria prevention and control is imperative. Hence, this study was conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of the community-directed educational intervention on malaria prevention and control in malaria-endemic areas of Sarpang district, Bhutan.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study design was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were carried out in addition to household survey using a structured questionnaire conducted before and after the intervention. Intervention was conducted using community action groups, who were provided with training and which then developed action plans for implementation of interventions within their communities.ResultsThe study resulted in a significant improvement in knowledge and attitude in intervention as compared to control during the post-intervention survey (p < 0.001). The practice score was higher in the control group both during pre- and post-intervention, however, the mean ( ±sd) score of practice in intervention group increased from 6.84 ± 1.26 in pre-intervention to 8.35 ± 1.14 in post-intervention (p < 0.001), where as it decreased from 9.19 ± 1.78 to 9.10 ± 1.98 in the control group (p = 0. 68). When comparing pre- and post- in the intervention group, there was significant improvement during post-intervention in knowledge, attitude and practice (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings from this study corroborate that community-directed interventions can be utilized as an effective means for improving knowledge, attitude and practice in the malaria-endemic areas of Bhutan. Further studies are needed to see the long-term effect and sustainability of such interventions.
Highlights
As per the World Malaria Report 2011, there was a 17% reduction in morbidity and 26% reduction in mortality in 2010, compared to 2000
The findings from this study corroborate that community-directed interventions can be utilized as an effective means for improving knowledge, attitude and practice in the malaria-endemic areas of Bhutan
The health workers of basic health units (BHUs) said that fever, acute respiratory illness, common cold and diarrhoea are the most common illness in the community, an interview with the referral hospital and the ministry revealed that non-communicable diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes are becoming more common in recent years
Summary
As per the World Malaria Report 2011, there was a 17% reduction in morbidity and 26% reduction in mortality in 2010, compared to 2000. As the country moves towards an elimination phase, educating the community and empowering them on malaria prevention and control is imperative. This study was conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of the community-directed educational intervention on malaria prevention and control in malariaendemic areas of Sarpang district, Bhutan. Africa is known to have the most high-risk areas, 4.3 million reported cases and 2,426 deaths in 2010, were from Southeast Asia. Some of these countries, namely Bangladesh, Myanmar and Timor-Leste, showed an increasing trend, unlike other countries. Frequent outbreaks, high Plasmodium falciparum cases, and resistance to drugs and chemicals means malaria situations in Asia are unstable and volatile [1,2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
