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Sarpong E, Acheampong DO, Fordjour GNR, Anyanful A, Aninagyei E, Tuoyire DA, Blackhurst D, Kyei GB, Ekor M, Thomford NE. Zero malaria: a mirage or reality for populations of sub-Saharan Africa in health transition. Malar J 2022; 21:314. [PMID: 36333802 PMCID: PMC9636766 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04340-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent health systems. With the recent increase in lifestyle diseases, the region is currently in a health transition, complicating the situation by posing a double challenge to the already ailing health sector. In answer to the continuous challenge of malaria, the African Union has started a "zero malaria starts with me" campaign that seeks to personalize malaria prevention and bring it down to the grass-root level. This review discusses the contribution of sub-Saharan Africa, whose population is in a health transition, to malaria elimination. In addition, the review explores the challenges that health systems in these countries face, that may hinder the attainment of a zero-malaria goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Sarpong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, School Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Desmond Omane Acheampong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George Nkansah Rost Fordjour
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Akwasi Anyanful
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Enoch Aninagyei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
| | - Derek A Tuoyire
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Dee Blackhurst
- Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory,, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - George Boateng Kyei
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Martins Ekor
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medicine Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
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Ekusai-Sebatta D, Arinaitwe E, Mpimbaza A, Nankabirwa JI, Drakeley C, Rosenthal PJ, Staedke SG, Muyinda H. Challenges and opportunities for use of long-lasting insecticidal nets to prevent malaria during overnight travel in Uganda: a qualitative study. Malar J 2021; 20:283. [PMID: 34174892 PMCID: PMC8235645 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travel is a well-recognized risk factor for malaria. Within sub-Saharan Africa, travellers from areas of lower to higher transmission intensity are potentially at high risk of malaria. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the primary tool for prevention of malaria, and their widespread use has contributed to substantial reductions in malaria burden. However, travellers often fail to use LLINs. To further explore the challenges and opportunities of using LLINs, travellers were interviewed in Uganda. METHODS In August and September 2019, 20 participants attending outpatient clinics at Naguru General Hospital in Kampala with a history of travel out of Kampala within the previous 60 days were purposively selected. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed thematically using NVivo 12. RESULTS Of the 20 participants, 13 were male. Thirteen of the 20 participants tested positive for malaria by microscopy, and 5 reported using of LLINs during travel. The main reasons for travel were to attend social events (weddings, funerals, overnight prayers) and for work. travellers who attended social events reported using LLINs less commonly than those who travelled for work. Challenges to using LLINs during travel included: (1) limited access to LLINs; (2) challenges in planning ahead of travel; (3) lack of space or ability to hang LLINs while travelling; (4) impression that LLINs in lodging places were unhygienic; (5) cultural beliefs discouraging use of LLINs during social events; (6) participation in overnight ceremonies; and (7) doubts about efficacy of LLINs. Positive factors influencing use of LLINs during travel included knowledge regarding malaria prevention and good affordability and availability of LLINs. CONCLUSIONS Despite good traveller knowledge regarding malaria control measures, use of LLINs was limited. Use of LLINs in the prevention of malaria among travellers from low to high transmission settings needs to be prioritized. This calls for increased behaviour change oriented communication to improve traveller preparedness and consideration of use of repellents in situations where LLINs may not be feasible. The Uganda Ministry of Health and Malaria Control Division should use educational messages to increase awareness about the risks of getting malaria during overnight travel through the media. Truck drivers should be sensitized through their companies to use the available space at the back of the trucks for hanging nets and consider using pop-up nets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Arinaitwe
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Arthur Mpimbaza
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Child Health & Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaniter I Nankabirwa
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Herbert Muyinda
- Child Health & Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Tagoe N, Molyneux S, Pulford J, Murunga VI, Kinyanjui S. Managing health research capacity strengthening consortia: a systematised review of the published literature. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001318. [PMID: 31139450 PMCID: PMC6509615 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Locally relevant research is considered critical for advancing health and development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Accordingly, health research capacity strengthening (HRCS) efforts have intensified, increasingly through consortia. Yet, the knowledge base for managing such consortia is not well defined. This review aimed to ascertain the scope and quality of published literature on HRCS consortium management processes, management-related factors influencing consortium operations and outcomes, and the knowledge gaps. METHODS Given the paucity of published HRCS literature, a 'systematised review' as outlined by Grant and Booth was conducted, modelling the systematic review process without restriction to research-based publications. A systematic search in PubMed and Scopus was carried out coupled with a manual search for papers using reference checking and citation searching. A quality appraisal of eligible articles using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was undertaken. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the extracted data. RESULTS The search identified 55 papers, made up of 18 empirical papers and 37 commentaries focusing on consortium-based HRCS initiatives involving LMICs and reporting management-related data. The review indicates increasing efforts being made in the HRCS field in reporting consortia outcomes. However, it highlights the dearth of high-quality empirical research on HRCS consortium management and the nascent nature of the field with most papers published after 2010. The available literature highlights the importance of relational management factors such as equity and power relations in influencing consortium success, though these factors were not explored in depth. Operational management processes and their role in the capacity strengthening pathway were rarely examined. CONCLUSION Findings indicate a weak evidence base for HRCS consortium management both in terms of quantity and conceptual depth, demonstrating the need for an expanded research effort to inform HRCS practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Tagoe
- KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Office of Grants and Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sassy Molyneux
- KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Justin Pulford
- Department of International Public Health, Centre for Capacity Research, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Violet I Murunga
- Department of International Public Health, Centre for Capacity Research, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sam Kinyanjui
- KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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