The 2019 Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative Round Table: community engagement in the context of malaria elimination

Alexandra Gordon,Rebecca J Vander Meulen,Alysse Maglior

doi:10.1186/s12936-019-3054-x

Abstract

Government officials, representatives from malaria endemic communities, and nonprofit, academic, and private sector partners convened at the 2019 Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative Round Table in Livingstone, Zambia from February 28–March 1, 2019 to discuss the necessity of community engagement and the involvement of those directly affected by malaria in malaria elimination efforts. Participants shared practical examples and principles of successful community engagement over the course of the Round Table. Three core principles of effective community engagement emerged: (1) there is no “one size fits all” community engagement strategy, (2) community engagement must be a bidirectional activity, and (3) community members must be at the heart of malaria elimination efforts.

Highlights

Malaria control and elimination interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), testing via rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and treatment through artemisinin-based combination therapy hinge on the acceptance and engagement of the communities in which they are employed [1–3]
Even as new tools for malaria control and elimination become increasingly available through innovative technological advances and political will, interventions that have already proven their effectiveness continue to be essential and can be further enhanced through community engagement
In recognition of the essential role communities play in the control and elimination of malaria, government officials, representatives from malaria endemic communities, and nonprofit, academic, and private sector partners convened at the J.C

Summary

Introduction

Malaria control and elimination interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), testing via rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and treatment through artemisinin-based combination therapy hinge on the acceptance and engagement of the communities in which they are employed [1–3]. One case study presented at the Round Table demonstrates the complex reality of malaria in border communities, and the need for collaboration and coordination.

Results

Conclusion