SciDev'Net Malaria ConsortiumCoalition Against Malaria in Ethiopia workshop Reporting on malaria res

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SciDev.Net / Malaria Consortium/Coalition Against
Malaria in Ethiopia workshopReporting on
malaria research, control prevention Ethiopi
a, 22-23 September 2006

• 
  

What can communities do to make better use of
existing malaria control tools?
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What are the Existing Major Tools?

• Vector control measures
• Use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and
  residual insecticide spraying (IRS)
• Personal protection
• Environmental measures
• Rapid diagnosis and treatment
• At community level
• At formal health institutions
• Surveillance to detect and respond
  effectively

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What do communities need to know in order to
maximize the use of the existing tools?

• Mode of malaria transmission
• Where do mosquitoes breed?
• Where do mosquitoes rest?
• What, where and when do mosquitoes feed?
• How do people prevent mosquito breeding?
• How do people prevent mosquito bites?

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What do communities need to know in order to
maximize the use of the existing tools? Cont

• Who are the most vulnerable groups in the
  population what an epidemic is
• Major signs and symptoms of malaria including
  signs of severity
• Unless treated promptly malaria is a fatal
  disease
• Full course treatment is mandatory
• Supportive care to malaria patients at home.

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Knowing and Doing
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What do communities need to do in order to make
better use of the existing tools?

• Participate in reducing mosquito density
  (Eliminate mosquito breeding habitats in their
  premises)
• Eliminate mosquito resting habitats in their
  premises
• Prevent mosquito bites (Proper use of ITNs, site
  selection, house screening, Zooprophylaxis,
  repellents, coils, etc.)
• Maximize ITNs by sharing, maintaining holes
  proper handling
• Participate in reducing mosquito longevity and
  density (Accept and participate in IRS and ITNs
  treatment operations)

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Living in such Poor Structures is as bad as
sleeping outdoors
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House Plastering Wastes Insecticides Deposited on
Walls
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What do communities need to do in order to make
better use of the existing tools? Cont

• Give priority to most vulnerable household
  members
• Ensure immediate treatment of household members
  with suspected malaria by visiting nearest
  institution
• Ensure adherence of family members to treatment
  regimen
• Reduce fever of malaria patients while seeking
  for immediate treatment,

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What do communities need to do in order to make
better use of the existing tools? Cont

• Urge and collaborate in establishing community
  based interventions
• Contribute in kind and labor in expansion of
  development infrastructure
• Be receptive to heath educators (health workers,
  community volunteers, students in the family)
• Inform authorities immediately on an usual
  events, such as excessive number of patients

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Paracheck is Possible at Community Scale,
Retracting it to formal institutions will only
delay treatment and facilitate death