Malaria No More UK’s Post

🦟 Severe Malaria in Children: Beyond Hospital Discharge A new study published in Malaria Journal reveals that children aged 6 months to 4 years who survive severe falciparum malaria face a significantly higher risk of hospitalization within a year of discharge compared to their peers. Alarmingly, over 80% of these hospitalizations were due to malaria recurrence. This highlights an urgent need for studies on post-discharge malaria chemoprevention to reduce morbidity in these vulnerable children. #GlobalHealth #MalariaResearch #ChildHealth #PublicHealth #MalariaPrevention

#Malaria is Mozambique’s most important public health problem. To help reduce malaria mortality, morbidity, and infection, Chemonics International implemented the five-year, USAID-funded #Mozambique Integrated Malaria Program (IMaP) in four high-burden malaria provinces. IMaP worked at the national, provincial, and district levels to strengthen training and supervisory structures for quality case management, such as diagnosis and treatment, and preventive treatment among pregnant women. The program led the introduction, implementation, and standardization of integrated #SupportiveSupervision for health care workers to develop their skills and improve quality malaria health service delivery. With #TechnicalAssistance and logistical support, health facilities strengthened their case management knowledge and skills through malaria morbidity and mortality sessions. Staff focal points from referral and other large health facilities in each province met and discussed severe malaria cases and deaths. Participants concluded that most deaths attributed to malaria were misclassified and caused by other diseases; clinicians were not regularly monitoring patients in the ward; malaria complications were mismanaged; and incorrect doses of injectable artesunate were administered in the first 24 hours of treatment. Findings from these sessions led to supportive supervision visits and on-the-job training at affected facilities. After training, Hospital Central de Nampula recorded a 38% reduction in malaria deaths (131 to 81) from 2018 to 2019. Overall, in Mozambique, between 2018 and 2021 in all four target provinces, there was a 43% decrease in malaria deaths as a proportion of all inpatient deaths (from 3.7% to 2.1%), despite a 16% increase in malaria cases. The increase in cases was likely in part due to improved health-seeking behaviors, increased testing, and improved reporting. Learn more: https://ow.ly/CBso50QW72I

Malaria is related to gender and age as pregnant women and children are more vulnerable and affected than adult men and non pregnant women. Malaria is related to women burden and family poverty as many children become orphan when one or two parents die of malaria or when the bread winners get sick for long time or die or unable to engage in productive activities and produce enough food for the family. Malaria disease burden and its control action links are extended out from family environment to health post; health post to health center and health center to Wereda/District/ health office; this keeps on to national and international levels.  

#Malaria is Mozambique’s most important public health problem. To help reduce malaria mortality, morbidity, and infection, Chemonics International implemented the five-year, USAID funded #Mozambique Integrated Malaria Program (IMaP) in four high-burden malaria provinces. IMaP worked at the national, provincial, and district levels to strengthen training and supervisory structures for quality case management, such as diagnosis and treatment, and preventive treatment among pregnant women. The program led the introduction, implementation, and standardization of integrated #SupportiveSupervision for health care workers to develop their skills and improve quality malaria health service delivery. With #TechnicalAssistance and logistical support, health facilities strengthened their case management knowledge and skills through malaria morbidity and mortality sessions. Staff focal points from referral and other large health facilities in each province met and discussed severe malaria cases and deaths. Participants concluded that most deaths attributed to malaria were misclassified and caused by other diseases; clinicians were not regularly monitoring patients in the ward; malaria complications were mismanaged; and incorrect doses of injectable artesunate were administered in the first 24 hours of treatment. Findings from these sessions led to supportive supervision visits and on-the-job training at affected facilities. After training, Hospital Central de Nampula recorded a 38% reduction in malaria deaths (131 to 81) from 2018 to 2019. Overall, in Mozambique, between 2018 and 2021 in all four target provinces, there was a 43% decrease in malaria deaths as a proportion of all inpatient deaths (from 3.7% to 2.1%), despite a 16% increase in malaria cases. The increase in cases was likely in part due to improved health-seeking behaviors, increased testing, and improved reporting. Learn more: https://ow.ly/CBso50QW72I

 Meaning and Practice Changes in Malaria Intervention The concept, language (rhetoric) and discourses about malaria and its outbreak, sickness, severity and beliefs about the causes and treatment seeking and practice has been changing over time. There are a number of changes in community perceptions and beliefs about malaria; definition and knowledge about its causes, ways of identifying malaria disease as well as taking treatment and prevention actions. One noticeable change is community definition of malaria changes from naming malaria as Golfa in the past is currently changed to calling the disease as Busa (malaria); from believing its cause as eating maize, contacting the sick person vomit, sleeping with the sick person to currently accepting mosquito bites as the cause of malaria; from identifying malaria by looking or touching the sick person with fever and shaking to the current rapid diagnostic testing (RDT); from garlic, green paper and herbs customary healing to using modern medicine prescribed by physician. The trend indicates, communities are increasingly becoming familiar with terminologies like anopheles mosquito, LLIN and its management, IRS and avoiding plastering the sprayed rooms, names of medicines used for treatment like chlorophyll for vivax treatment and – for plasmodium Falciparum.

🦟 Let's Fight Malaria Together! 🌍 Today, April 25th, marks World Malaria Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the global fight against malaria and promoting efforts to prevent and control this deadly disease. Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare and resources. On this World Malaria Day, let's come together to: 🔍 Raise Awareness: Spread the word about the impact of malaria and the importance of prevention and treatment measures. Educate others about the signs and symptoms of malaria and how it can be prevented. 🌱 Support Prevention Efforts: Encourage the use of bed nets, insecticide spraying, and antimalarial medications to prevent malaria transmission. Support initiatives aimed at improving access to these life-saving interventions in at-risk communities. 💉 Promote Testing and Treatment: Advocate for widespread access to diagnostic testing and prompt treatment for malaria. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing severe illness and saving lives. 👩⚕️👨⚕️ Support Healthcare Workers: Recognize the tireless efforts of healthcare workers on the frontlines of the fight against malaria. Show appreciation for their dedication and commitment to providing care and support to those affected by malaria. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against malaria and work towards a world free from this preventable and treatable disease. Let's unite our efforts to #EndMalaria and ensure a healthier future for all. #WorldMalariaDay 🌿💙

World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25th, is a global effort to raise awareness about malaria and mobilize resources to combat the disease. It aims to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to control and ultimately eradicate malaria. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on progress made in malaria prevention, treatment, and research, as well as to advocate for increased efforts to tackle the challenges that remain. Malaria remains a significant public health issue, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare and resources. Efforts to control malaria include the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, preventive treatment for vulnerable groups, and research into new drugs and vaccines.

As we celebrate World Malaria Day, there are important facts you need to know: - Malaria is a critical public health concern especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. - Globally, an estimated 3.2 billion people are at risk of malaria infection. According to WHO (2023), there was an estimated 249 million new cases of malaria globally in 2022 leading to about 608,000 deaths. - Alarmingly, the WHO African Region shouldered a disproportionate burden, accounting for about 233 million cases (94%). - The WHO African Region also recorded 12.7 million cases of malaria infection among pregnant women (gestational malaria). - Gestational malaria is dangerous because it leads to poor health outcomes for both the mother and child, so it must be prevented. - WHO recommends intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) among pregnant women. - A study conducted by Ameyaw (2022) in a Sub-Saharan country revealed that less than half of pregnant women receive the recommended doses of IPTp-SP. - This means that there is much work to be done in preventing gestational malaria. - This will require the combined efforts from health workers and government in providing sensitization and community mobilization among the general public.

Understanding User Needs: Insights from Our Malaria Prevention Survey! I'm excited to provide you with an update on our ongoing efforts to combat malaria through our upcoming project. As many of you know, I recently shared news about our upcoming initiative to develop a website focused on malaria prevention and treatment. So over the past few weeks, we @ Enoverlab have been hard at work conducting a user survey to better understand the needs, preferences, and challenges of individuals affected by malaria. A special shout out to Sarah Ibeji, CPM our product mentor and to my team for their active support and participation. So, our user survey was informed by a deep understanding of our target audience and their needs. We began by conducting thorough research to gain insights into the demographics, preferences, and behaviors of individuals affected by malaria. This research involved analyzing existing data, literature reviews, and stakeholder consultations to identify key trends and challenges in malaria prevention and treatment. with this knowledge, we crafted a survey that aimed to address specific questions and gather actionable feedback from our target audience. We designed the survey to be user-friendly, concise, and focused on gathering insights that would inform our product development process. Key considerations that informed our user survey include: ~ User Needs and Pain Points: We sought to understand the specific needs and pain points of individuals affected by malaria, including challenges they face in accessing healthcare services, obtaining medications, and preventing the disease. ~ Preferences and Behaviors: We explored user preferences and behaviors related to healthcare seeking, medication adherence, and preventive measures such as mosquito net. ~ Service Expectations: We investigated user expectations for healthcare services, including preferences for online booking, delivery of medications and preventive tools, access to educational resources, and communication channels with healthcare providers. ~ Accessibility and Affordability: We examined barriers to accessing healthcare services and medications, including issues related to affordability, transportation, and proximity to healthcare facilities. ~ Feedback on Proposed Solutions: We presented users with proposed solutions and features for our website, such as subscription plans, booking systems, delivery system and educational resources, and solicited feedback on their relevance, usefulness, and appeal. By gathering insights through our user survey, we aimed to ensure that our product development efforts are guided by the real needs and preferences of our target audience. Below is the link to our curated survey questions https://lnkd.in/ewQSnQZ9

🌟 Hey everyone! Get ready to be inspired! 🌟 Malaria has been a huge challenge in Mozambique, but thanks to the tireless efforts of programs like IMaP, we're seeing real progress in the fight against this deadly disease. Today, I'm thrilled to share an incredible impact story that highlights @Chemonics efforts to battle this devastating disease 🦟 #Malaria is Mozambique’s most important public health problem. To help reduce malaria mortality, morbidity, and infection, Chemonics International implemented the five-year, USAID-funded #Mozambique Integrated Malaria Program (IMaP) in four high-burden malaria provinces. IMaP worked at the national, provincial, and district levels to strengthen training and supervisory structures for quality case management, such as diagnosis and treatment, and preventive treatment among pregnant women. The program led the introduction, implementation, and standardization of integrated #SupportiveSupervision for health care workers to develop their skills and improve quality malaria health service delivery. With #TechnicalAssistance and logistical support, health facilities strengthened their case management knowledge and skills through malaria morbidity and mortality sessions. Staff focal points from referral and other large health facilities in each province met and discussed severe malaria cases and deaths. Participants concluded that most deaths attributed to malaria were misclassified and caused by other diseases; clinicians were not regularly monitoring patients in the ward; malaria complications were mismanaged; and incorrect doses of injectable artesunate were administered in the first 24 hours of treatment. Findings from these sessions led to supportive supervision visits and on-the-job training at affected facilities. After training, Hospital Central de Nampula recorded a 38% reduction in malaria deaths (131 to 81) from 2018 to 2019. Overall, in Mozambique, between 2018 and 2021 in all four target provinces, there was a 43% decrease in malaria deaths as a proportion of all inpatient deaths (from 3.7% to 2.1%), despite a 16% increase in malaria cases. The increase in cases was likely in part due to improved health-seeking behaviors, increased testing, and improved reporting. Learn more: https://ow.ly/BYtO30sB2gz