Assessing malaria control in the Kassena-Nankana district of northern Ghana through repeated surveys using the RBM tools.
BACKGROUND
The goal of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) is to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality by 50% by the year 2010, and still further thereafter until the disease becomes no more a threat to public health. To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation process of this goal, two surveys were carried out in 2000 and 2003 in households and health facilities in the Kassena-Nankana district, northern Ghana using the RBM-WHO/AFRO monitoring and evaluation tools for malaria control activities.


METHODS
Data were collected from mothers/caretakers on signs/symptoms of the most recent malaria attack for their under five year old children; the management actions that they took and their perception of health services provided at the health facilities, bednet use, antenatal attendance and place of delivery for the most recent pregnancy, malaria prophylaxis during their last pregnancy. Community health workers and herbalist/traditional healers were also interviewed about the types of health services they provide to community members.


RESULTS
The results revealed a significant improvement in knowledge among mothers/caretakers over the three-year period; this affected caretakers' initial management of illnesses of their young children. The management in terms of the type and dosage of drugs used also improved significantly (p < 0.0001) over the period. Reported insecticide-treated bed net use among children under-five years and pregnant women significantly increased between 2000 and 2003 (p < 0.0001). Health professionals had improved on adoption of their quality of care roles. The intensification of malaria control activities and awareness creation in this district over a three year period had started demonstrating positive results towards reducing malaria disease burden.


CONCLUSIONS
Periodic performance assessments through surveys as described and prompt feedback of results to stakeholders in the locality serves as a catalyst to improving malaria control in malaria-endemic countries.
Kintampo Health Research Centre, P,O, Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. Seth.Owusu-agyei@ghana-khrc.org
Seth
S
Owusu-Agyei
Elizabeth
E
Awini
Francis
F
Anto
Thomas
T
Mensah-Afful
Martin
M
Adjuik
Abraham
A
Hodgson
Edwin
E
Afari
Fred
F
Binka
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007306:Insecticides; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009313:National Health Programs; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation
D000962:Antimalarials; D007306:Insecticides