title: Educating the security forces, a high risk group in malaria elimination efforts: an example from Sri Lanka.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The security forces are a high risk group for malaria transmission in Sri Lanka. Interrupting transmission and maintaining surveillance in this group is an important component of elimination efforts. The objective of the study was to develop a prototype educational programme on malaria for security forces serving in endemic areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interactive seminar was designed to deliver the required knowledge. The content was on current status, transmission, signs and symptoms and the role of security personnel in identification and prevention of malaria. Each seminar was preceded by a pre-test and followed by a post test to assess the improvement of knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty seminars were held in eight districts over 2 months with 2301 security forces personnel participating. Pre seminar knowledge on malaria was significantly better in the medical corps, those who had completed secondary education and in the Army compared to other security forces (p<0.001). Participation in the seminar resulted in an improvement in all domains tested as shown by test scores in post seminar assessment (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conducting a formal educational programme is an effective strategy to improve awareness on malaria amongst security forces personnel who are a high risk group for re-introduction of malaria into the country.
authors: Department of Parasitology ferndeep@gmail.com.
authors: Sumadhya Deepika
authors: SD
authors: Fernando
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka.
authors: Chaturaka
authors: C
authors: Rodrigo
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka.
authors: Nipun
authors: N
authors: de Silva
authors: Directorate of Army Medical Services, Army Headquarters, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors: Saveen
authors: S
authors: Semege
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo 25 Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka.
authors: Senaka
authors: S
authors: Rajapakse
authors: Department of Parasitology.
authors: Nilakashi
authors: N
authors: Samaranayake
authors: Department of Parasitology.
authors: Sanath
authors: S
authors: Senenayake
authors: Anti-Malaria Campaign, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors: Risintha Gayan
authors: RG
authors: Premaratne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods; D013188:Sri Lanka; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Educational programme; Elimination; Malaria; Prevention; Security Forces; Sri Lanka