Abstract
Bangladesh has achieved significant progress towards malaria elimination, although health service delivery for malaria remains challenging in remote forested areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions of malaria and its treatment among the local population to inform contextualized strategies for rolling out radical cure for P. vivax in Bangladesh. The study comprised two sequential strands whereby the preliminary results of a qualitative strand informed the development of a structured survey questionnaire used in the quantitative strand. Results show that ethnic minority populations in the CHT live in precarious socio-economic conditions which increase their exposure to infectious diseases, and that febrile patients often self-treat, including home remedies and pharmaceuticals, before attending a healthcare facility. Perceived low quality of care and lack of communication between Bengali health providers and ethnic minority patients also affects access to public healthcare. Malaria is viewed as a condition that affects vulnerable people weakened by agricultural work and taking away blood is perceived to increase such vulnerability. Healthcare providers that initiate and sustain a dialogue about these issues with ethnic minority patients may foster the trust that is needed for local malaria elimination efforts.
Highlights
Despite substantial progress in reducing the burden of malaria, an estimated 3.2 billion people remain at risk globally [1]
If residents experience malaria-like symptoms they can test (RDT)
A total of 40 in-depth interviews, 11 informal interviews, 14 observations and 16 informal group discussions were conducted in the qualitative strand of the mixed methods study (Table 1)
Summary
Despite substantial progress in reducing the burden of malaria, an estimated 3.2 billion people remain at risk globally [1]. Outside of sub Saharan Africa, 70% of the global burden of malaria is in the Asia-Pacific, with 1.8 billion people at risk for malaria [2]. In Bangladesh, across 13 endemic districts bordering India and/or Myanmar, an estimated 10,523 cases were reported in 2018. Pathogens 2020, 9, 840 and an estimated 17,225 cases in 2019 [3,4]. The programme invests in both preventive and curative malaria measures. The former includes distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) and Insecticide
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
