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Garcia KKS, Rodovalho SR, Siqueira AM. Towards malaria elimination: a reflection about digital notification modules to improve malaria cases notification speed and follow-up in the Brazilian Amazon region. Malar J 2024; 23:162. [PMID: 38783318 PMCID: PMC11119395 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health information systems (HIS) are a pivotal element in epidemiological surveillance. In Brazil, malaria persists as a public health challenge, with 99% of its occurrences concentrated in the Amazon region, where cases are reported through the HIS Sivep-Malaria. Recent technological advancements indicate that case notifications can be expedited through more efficient systems with broader coverage. The objective of this study is to analyse opportunities for notification within Sivep-Malaria and explore the implementation of mobile electronic devices and applications to enhance the performance of malaria case notifications and use. METHODS This descriptive study analyses data on malaria-positive cases in the Brazilian Amazon from 2004 to 2022. Malaria Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sivep-Malaria) data were used. The Brazilian Amazon region area is approximately 5 million km2 across nine different states in Brazil. Data entry opportunities were assessed by considering the time difference between the 'date of data entry' and the 'date of notification.' Descriptive statistics, including analyses of means and medians, were conducted across the entire Amazon region, and for indigenous population villages and gold mining areas. RESULTS Between 2004 and 2022, 6,176,878 new malaria cases were recorded in Brazil. The average data entry opportunity throughout the period was 17.9 days, with a median of 8 days. The most frequently occurring value was 1 day, and 99% of all notifications were entered within 138 days, with 75.0% entered within 20 days after notification. The states with the poorest data entry opportunities were Roraima and Tocantins, with averages of 31.3 and 31.0 days, respectively. For indigenous population villages and gold mining areas, the median data entry opportunities were 23 and 15 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In malaria elimination, where surveillance is a primary strategy for evaluating each reported case, reducing notification time, enhancing data quality and being able to follow-up cases through computerized reports offer significant benefits for cases investigation. Technological improvements in Sivep-Malaria could yield substantial benefits for malaria control in Brazil, aiding the country in achieving disease elimination and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klauss Kleydmann Sabino Garcia
- Center for Tropical Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - André M Siqueira
- Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Pandya S, Kan L, Parr E, Twose C, Labrique AB, Agarwal S. How Can Community Data Be Leveraged to Advance Primary Health Care? A Scoping Review of Community-Based Health Information Systems. GLOBAL HEALTH, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2024; 12:e2300429. [PMID: 38626945 PMCID: PMC11057800 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-23-00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based health information systems (CBISs) can provide critical insights into how community health systems function, and digitized CBISs may improve the quality of community-level data and facilitate integration and use of CBISs within the broader health system. This scoping review aims to understand how CBISs have been implemented, integrated, and used to support community health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS Both peer-reviewed and gray literature were included; relevant articles were identified using key terms and controlled vocabulary related to community/primary health care, health information systems, digital health, and LMICs. A total of 11,611 total records were identified from 5 databases and the gray literature. After deduplication, 6,985 peer-reviewed/gray literature were screened, and 95 articles/reports were included, reporting on 105 CBIS implementations across 38 countries. RESULTS Findings show that 55% of CBISs included some level of digitization, with just 28% being fully digitized (for data collection and reporting). Data flow from the community level into the health system varied, with digitized CBISs more likely to reach national-level integration. National-level integration was primarily seen among vertical CBISs. Data quality challenges were present in both paper-based and digitized CBISs, exacerbated by fragmentation of the community health landscape with often parallel reporting systems. CBIS data use was constrained to mostly vertical and digitized (partially or fully) CBISs at national/subnational levels. CONCLUSION Digitization can play a pivotal role in strengthening CBIS use, but findings demonstrate that CBISs are only as effective as the community health systems they are embedded within. Community-level data are often not being integrated into national/subnational health information systems, undermining the ability to understand what the community health needs are. Furthermore, stronger investments within community health systems need to be in place broadly to reduce fragmentation and provide stronger infrastructural and systemic support to the community health workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Pandya
- Center for Global Digital Health Innovation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lena Kan
- Center for Global Digital Health Innovation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily Parr
- Center for Global Digital Health Innovation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Claire Twose
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alain B Labrique
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Smisha Agarwal
- Center for Global Digital Health Innovation, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Pattanshetty S, Dsouza VS, Shekharappa A, Yagantigari M, Raj R, Inamdar A, Alsamara I, Rajvanshi H, Brand H. A Scoping Review on Malaria Prevention and Control Intervention in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS): A Need for Renewed Focus to Enhance International Cooperation. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2024; 14:4-12. [PMID: 38224386 PMCID: PMC11043240 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00180-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a major public health problem in developing countries. The burden of malaria in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is increasing year by year. Moreover, the population living in FCAS is often the most vulnerable and at high risk of malaria due to factors, such as deteriorating healthcare system, mass relocations, and reduced resilience to shocks. Therefore, this scoping review aims to map the interventions that are conducted at the FCAS on malaria prevention among the general population. In addition, this review can help policy-makers and international health bodies, providing a comprehensive overview that can lead to more targeted, effective, and context-specific interventions. Databases, such as PubMed, EBSCO-CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were searched using specified search terms. A total of 3601 studies were retrieved from the search. After screening, 62 studies were included in the synthesis that met the eligibility criteria. Narrative analysis of the findings was done. The results revealed that in fragile countries, interventions for children below 5 years of age included IPTi, TDA, and ACT. In conflicted countries, interventions for children below 5 years of age included TDA, LLINs, SMC, drug trials, and vaccination. Similar interventions were reported for other age groups and populations. Despite ongoing conflicts, malaria interventions have been maintained in these countries, but a persistent high burden of malaria remains. To achieve the goals of malaria elimination, the results of the review highlight the need for continued research and evaluation of malaria control interventions to assess their effectiveness and impact. Strengthening health systems, building partnerships, utilizing digital health technologies, and conducting context-specific research are recommended to improve healthcare access and reduce the burden of malaria in FCAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Pattanshetty
- Department of Global Health Governance, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
- Centre for Health Diplomacy, Department of Global Health Governance, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
- Department of International Health, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute-CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Viola Savy Dsouza
- Centre for Regulatory Science, Department of Health Information, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
| | - Anupama Shekharappa
- Department of Global Health Governance, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Rohit Raj
- Department of Community Medicine, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jamshedpur, India
| | - Aniruddha Inamdar
- Centre for Health Diplomacy, Department of Global Health Governance, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Issam Alsamara
- Department of International Health, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute-CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Helmut Brand
- Department of International Health, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute-CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Policy, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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Rajvanshi H, Singh MP, Bharti PK, Sahu RS, Jayswar H, Govil PJ, Anvikar A, Chan XX, Chebbi A, Das S, Lal AA. Science of malaria elimination: using knowledge of bottlenecks and enablers from the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in Central India for eliminating malaria in the Asia Pacific region. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1303095. [PMID: 38303961 PMCID: PMC10830794 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1303095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria poses a major public health challenge in the Asia Pacific. Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project was conducted as a public-private partnership initiative in Mandla between State government, ICMR, and FDEC India. The project employed controls for efficient operational and management decisions. IEC campaigns found crucial in schools and communities. Capacity building of local workers emphasized for better diagnosis and treatment. SOCH mobile app launched for complete digitalization. Better supervision for Indoor Residual Sprays and optimized Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets distribution. Significant malaria cases reduction in Mandla. Insights from MEDP crucial for malaria elimination strategies in other endemic regions of the Asia Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Rajvanshi
- Asia Pacific Leaders' Malaria Alliance, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mrigendra P. Singh
- Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Himanshu Jayswar
- Directorate of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, India
| | - Pallavi Jain Govil
- Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, India
| | - Anup Anvikar
- Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Amita Chebbi
- Asia Pacific Leaders' Malaria Alliance, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sarthak Das
- Asia Pacific Leaders' Malaria Alliance, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Altaf A. Lal
- Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Prabhune A, Bhat S, Mallavaram A, Mehar Shagufta A, Srinivasan S. A Situational Analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Health Research Initiatives in South Asia. Cureus 2023; 15:e48977. [PMID: 38111408 PMCID: PMC10726017 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this paper was to evaluate and compare the quantity and sustainability of digital health initiatives in the South Asia region before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a two-step methodology of (a) descriptive analysis of digital health research articles published from 2016 to 2021 from South Asia in terms of stratification of research articles based on diseases and conditions they were developed, geography, and tasks wherein the initiative was applied and (b) a simple and replicable tool developed by authors to assess the sustainability of digital health initiatives using experimental or observational study designs. The results of the descriptive analysis highlight the following: (a) there was a 40% increase in the number of studies reported in 2020 when compared to 2019; (b) the three most common areas wherein substantive digital health research has been focused are health systems strengthening, ophthalmic disorders, and COVID-19; and (c) remote consultation, health information delivery, and clinical decision support systems are the top three commonly developed tools. We developed and estimated the inter-rater operability of the sustainability assessment tool ascertained with a Kappa value of 0.806 (±0.088). We conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on digital health research with an improvement in the number of digital health initiatives and an improvement in the sustainability score of studies published during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Prabhune
- Health and Information Technology, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, IND
| | - Sachin Bhat
- Health and Information Technology, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, IND
| | | | | | - Surya Srinivasan
- Health and Information Technology, Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore, IND
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Singh MP, Rajvanshi H, Bharti PK, Jayswar H, Singh S, Mehra RK, Pandey M, Sahu RS, Patel B, Bhalavi R, Nisar S, Kaur H, Das A, Hamer DH, Lal AA. Evaluation of the model malaria elimination strategy in Mandla district along with its neighbouring districts: a time series analysis from 2008 to 2020. Malar J 2023; 22:45. [PMID: 36747302 PMCID: PMC9901400 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to 2017, India achieved a significant reduction in malaria cases in 2020. Madhya Pradesh (MP) is a tribal dominated state of India with history of high malaria burden in some districts. District Mandla of MP state showed a considerable decline in malaria cases between 2000 and 2013, except in 2007. Subsequently, a resurgence of malaria cases was observed during 2014 and 2015. The Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP) was launched in 2017 in Mandla with the goal to achieve zero indigenous malaria cases. This project used: (1) active surveillance and case management using T4 (Track fever, Test fever, Treat patient, and Track patient); (2) vector control using indoor residual sprays and long-lasting insecticidal nets; (3) information education communication and behaviour change communication; and (4) regular monitoring and evaluation with an emphasis on operational and management accountability. This study has investigated malaria prevalence trends from 2008 to 2020, and has predicted trends for the next 5 years for Mandla and its bordering districts. METHODS The malaria prevalence data of the district Mandla for the period of January 2008 to August 2017 was obtained from District Malaria Office (DMO) Mandla and data for the period of September 2017 to December 2020 was taken from MEDP data repository. Further, the malaria prevalence data for the period of January 2008 to December 2020 was collected from DMOs of the neighbouring districts of Mandla. A univariate time series and forecast analysis was performed using seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. FINDINGS Malaria prevalence in Mandla showed a sharp decline [- 87% (95% CI - 90%, - 84%)] from 2017 to 2020. The malaria forecast for Mandla predicts zero cases in the next 5 years (2021-2025), provided current interventions are sustained. By contrast, the model has forecasted a risk of resurgence of malaria in other districts in MP (Balaghat, Dindori, Jabalpur, Seoni, and Kawardha) that were not the part of MEDP. CONCLUSION The interventions deployed as part of MEDP have resulted in a sustainable zero indigenous malaria cases in Mandla. Use of similar strategies in neighbouring and other malaria-endemic districts in India could achieve similar results. However, without adding extra cost to the existing intervention, sincere efforts are needed to sustain these interventions and their impact using accountability framework, data transparency, and programme ownership from state to district level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harsh Rajvanshi
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Present Address: Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India ,grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594Present Address: Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Himanshu Jayswar
- Directorate General of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Srinath Singh
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - R. K. Mehra
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Manoj Pandey
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Ram Shankar Sahu
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Brajesh Patel
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Ramji Bhalavi
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Sekh Nisar
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Present Address: Department of Health and Family Welfare, NHM Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- grid.415820.aIndian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Aparup Das
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Davidson H. Hamer
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA ,grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Altaf A. Lal
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India (FDEC India), Mumbai, Maharashtra India
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Chibi M, Wasswa W, Ngongoni C, Baba E, Kalu A. Leveraging innovation technologies to respond to malaria: a systematized literature review of emerging technologies. Malar J 2023; 22:40. [PMID: 36737741 PMCID: PMC9896445 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2019, an estimated 409,000 people died of malaria and most of them were young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In a bid to combat malaria epidemics, several technological innovations that have contributed significantly to malaria response have been developed across the world. This paper presents a systematized review and identifies key technological innovations that have been developed worldwide targeting different areas of the malaria response, which include surveillance, microplanning, prevention, diagnosis and management. METHODS A systematized literature review which involved a structured search of the malaria technological innovations followed by a quantitative and narrative description and synthesis of the innovations was carried out. The malaria technological innovations were electronically retrieved from scientific databases that include PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, IEEE and Science Direct. Additional innovations were found across grey sources such as the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and cooperate websites. This was done using keywords pertaining to different malaria response areas combined with the words "innovation or technology" in a search query. The search was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021. Drugs, vaccines, social programmes, and apps in non-English were excluded. The quality of technological innovations included was based on reported impact and an exclusion criterion set by the authors. RESULTS Out of over 1000 malaria innovations and programmes, only 650 key malaria technological innovations were considered for further review. There were web-based innovations (34%), mobile-based applications (28%), diagnostic tools and devices (25%), and drone-based technologies (13%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study was undertaken to unveil impactful and contextually relevant malaria innovations that can be adapted in Africa. This was in response to the existing knowledge gap about the comprehensive technological landscape for malaria response. The paper provides information that countries and key malaria control stakeholders can leverage with regards to adopting some of these technologies as part of the malaria response in their respective countries. The paper has also highlighted key drivers including infrastructural requirements to foster development and scaling up of innovations. In order to stimulate development of innovations in Africa, countries should prioritize investment in infrastructure for information and communication technologies and also drone technologies. These should be accompanied by the right policies and incentive frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moredreck Chibi
- World Health Organization Africa Region, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
| | - William Wasswa
- World Health Organization Africa Region, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Chipo Ngongoni
- World Health Organization Africa Region, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Ebenezer Baba
- Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non Communicable Disease Cluster, World Health Organization Africa Region, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Akpaka Kalu
- Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non Communicable Disease Cluster, World Health Organization Africa Region, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
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Singh A, Rajvanshi H, Singh MP, Bhandari S, Nisar S, Poriya R, Telasey V, Jayswar H, Mishra AK, Das A, Kaur H, Lal AA, Bharti PK. Mass screening and treatment (MSaT) for identifying and treating asymptomatic cases of malaria-malaria elimination demonstration project (MEDP), Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. Malar J 2022; 21:395. [PMID: 36575544 PMCID: PMC9793628 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass screening and treatment (MSaT) aims at reducing the spread of malaria in communities by identifying and treating infected persons regardless of the symptoms. This study was conducted to identify and treat asymptomatic cases using MSaT approaches in the community. METHODS Three rounds of MSaT using cluster combination approaches were carried out during September 2018 to December 2019 to identify and treat asymptomatic malaria cases in the community. All individuals who were present in the household were screened using RDT irrespective of malaria related symptoms. Simultaneously thick and thin blood smear and blood spot were collected for further analysis using microscopy and diagnostic PCR done in a subset of the samples. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis revealed that asymptomatic malaria cases significantly less among the older age groups compared with < 5 years children (OR ranged between 0.52 and 0.61; p < 0.05), lowest in cluster 4 (OR = 0.01; p < 0.0001); during third round of MSaT survey (OR = 0.11; p < 0.0001) and significantly higher in moderate to high endemic areas (OR = 88.30; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Over the three rounds of MSaT, the number of asymptomatic cases were significantly less in the older age groups, and during third round. Similarly, the asymptomatic cases were significantly less in the low endemic area with API < 1 (cluster four). Therefore, the malaria elimination programme may consider the MSaT strategy to identify asymptomatic cases that would be otherwise missed by routine fever based surveillance. This MSaT strategy would help accomplish the malaria elimination goal in an expedited manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akansha Singh
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India ,grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Harsh Rajvanshi
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Present Address: Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Sneha Bhandari
- grid.19096.370000 0004 1767 225XIndian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Environment Health (ICMR-NIREH), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Sekh Nisar
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Present Address: Department of Health and Family Welfare, NHM Raigarh, Raigarh, Chattisgarh India
| | - Rajan Poriya
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Vinay Telasey
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Himanshu Jayswar
- Directorate of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, India
| | - Ashok K. Mishra
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Aparup Das
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- grid.19096.370000 0004 1767 225XDepartment of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Altaf A. Lal
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India, Mumbai, 482003 Maharashtra India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India ,grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi, India
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Singh MP, Rajvanshi H, Bharti PK, Das A, Thakre V, Jayswar H, Sahu RS, Telasey VK, Lal AA. A qualitative study on community perceptions on quality of healthcare services they received in the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in district Mandla, India. Malar J 2022; 21:368. [PMID: 36463136 PMCID: PMC9719226 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The utilization and impact of the healthcare services depend on the perceived quality, appropriateness, ease of availability, and cost of the services. This study aimed to understand the community's perception of the quality of healthcare services delivered as part of the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP), Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India. METHODS The study used qualitative techniques to analyze the community perceptions that emerged from the participants' narratives during the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth Interviews with Key Informants (IKIs) on the promptness and quality of healthcare service delivery, the behaviour of MEDP staff, Information, Education and Communication, and Behavioural Change Communication activities, coordination with community members and other health personnel, and capacity building of healthcare workers and the community. RESULTS 36 FGDs and 63 IKIs with 419 respondents were conducted in nine blocks of district Mandla. Overall, 97% to 100% of beneficiaries associated MEDP with regularity and prompt service delivery, availability of diagnostics and drugs, friendly behaviour, good coordination, and community mobilization to enhance treatment-seeking behaviour. CONCLUSIONS The study's findings highlighted the importance of building and maintaining the community's participation and promoting the demand for optimal utilization of healthcare services inside the village to promptly achieve the malaria elimination goal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harsh Rajvanshi
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India ,Present Address: Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India ,grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594Present Address: Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Aparup Das
- grid.452686.b0000 0004 1767 2217Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Vikesh Thakre
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Himanshu Jayswar
- Directorate General of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Ram Shankar Sahu
- Department of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Vinay K. Telasey
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Altaf A. Lal
- Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India (FDEC India), Mumbai, Maharashtra India
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Development and On-Field Deployment of a Mobile-Based Application 'MoSQuIT' for Malaria Surveillance in International Border Districts of Northeast India-Challenges and Opportunities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052561. [PMID: 35270256 PMCID: PMC8909168 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The conventional paper-based system for malaria surveillance is time-consuming, difficult to track and resource-intensive. Few digital platforms are in use but wide-scale deployment and acceptability remain to be seen. To address this issue, we created a malaria surveillance mobile app that offers real-time data to stakeholders and establishes a centralised data repository. The MoSQuIT app was designed to collect data from the field and was integrated with a web-based platform for data integration and analysis. The MoSQuIT app was deployed on mobile phones of accredited social health activists (ASHA) working in international border villages in the northeast (NE) Indian states of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh for 20 months in a phased manner. This paper shares the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of MoSQuIT for malaria surveillance. MoSQuIT employs the same data entry formats as the NVBDCP's malaria surveillance programme. Using this app, a total of 8221 fever cases were recorded, which included 1192 (14.5%) cases of P. falciparum malaria, 280 (3.4%) cases of P. vivax malaria and 52 (0.6%) mixed infection cases. Depending on network availability, GPS coordinates of the fever cases were acquired by the app. The present study demonstrated that mobile-phone-based malaria surveillance facilitates the quick transmission of data from the field to decision makers. Geospatial tagging of cases helped with easy visualisation of the case distribution for the identification of malaria-prone areas and potential outbreaks, especially in hilly and remote regions of Northeast India. However, to achieve the full operational potential of the system, operational challenges have to be overcome.
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Rajvanshi H, Bharti PK, Sharma RK, Nisar S, Saha KB, Jayswar H, Mishra AK, Das A, Kaur H, Lal AA. Monitoring of the Village Malaria Workers to conduct activities of Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. Malar J 2022; 21:18. [PMID: 34998397 PMCID: PMC8742915 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-04040-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The capacity of the field staff to conduct activities related to disease surveillance, case management, and vector control has been one of the key components for successfully achieving malaria elimination. India has committed to eliminate malaria by 2030, and it has placed significance on monitoring and evaluation at the district level as one of the key strategies in its national framework. To support and guide the country’s malaria elimination objectives, the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project was conducted in the tribal district of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. Robust monitoring of human resources received special attention to help the national programme formulate a strategy to plug the gaps in its supply chain and monitoring and evaluation systems. Methods A monitoring tool was developed to test the capabilities of field workers to conduct activities related to malaria elimination work. Between November 2018 to February 2021, twenty-five Malaria Field Coordinators (MFCs) of the project utilized this tool everyday during the supervisory visits for their respective Village Malaria Workers (VMWs). The data was analysed and the scores were tested for variations against different blocks, educational status, duration of monitoring, and post-training scores. Results During the study period, the VMWs were monitored a total of 8974 times using the monitoring tool. Each VMW was supervised an average of 1.8 times each month. The critical monitoring indicators scored well in all seven quarters of the study as monitored by the MFCs. Monitoring by MFCs remained stable at 97.3% in all quarters. Contrary to expectations, the study observed longer diagnosis to treatment initiation time in urban areas of the district. Conclusion This study demonstrated the significance of a robust monitoring tool as an instrument to determine the capacity of the field workers in conducting surveillance, case management, and vector control related work for the malaria elimination programme. Similar tools can be replicated not only for malaria elimination, but other public health interventions as well. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-04040-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Rajvanshi
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India.,Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), Helios, Singapore
| | - Praveen K Bharti
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.,Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Ravendra K Sharma
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Medical Statistics (ICMR-NIMS), New Delhi, India.,Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sekh Nisar
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India.,State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Raigarh, Chattisgarh, India
| | - Kalyan B Saha
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Himanshu Jayswar
- Directorate of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, India
| | - Ashok K Mishra
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Aparup Das
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, India
| | - Altaf A Lal
- Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India. .,Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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Pal Bhowmick I, Chutia D, Chouhan A, Nishant N, Raju PLN, Narain K, Kaur H, Pebam R, Debnath J, Tripura R, Gogoi K, Ch Nag S, Nath A, Tripathy D, Debbarma J, Das N, Sarkar U, Debbarma R, Roy R, Debnath B, Dasgupta D, Debbarma S, Joy Tripura K, Reang G, Sharma A, Rahi M, Chhibber-Goel J. Validation of a Mobile Health Technology Platform (FeverTracker) for Malaria Surveillance in India: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e28951. [PMID: 34757321 PMCID: PMC8663496 DOI: 10.2196/28951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A surveillance system is the foundation for disease prevention and control. Malaria surveillance is crucial for tracking regional and temporal patterns in disease incidence, assisting in recorded details, timely reporting, and frequency of analysis. Objective In this study, we aim to develop an integrated surveillance graphical app called FeverTracker, which has been designed to assist the community and health care workers in digital surveillance and thereby contribute toward malaria control and elimination. Methods FeverTracker uses a geographic information system and is linked to a web app with automated data digitization, SMS text messaging, and advisory instructions, thereby allowing immediate notification of individual cases to district and state health authorities in real time. Results The use of FeverTracker for malaria surveillance is evident, given the archaic paper-based surveillance tools used currently. The use of the app in 19 tribal villages of the Dhalai district in Tripura, India, assisted in the surveillance of 1880 suspected malaria patients and confirmed malaria infection in 93.4% (114/122; Plasmodium falciparum), 4.9% (6/122; P vivax), and 1.6% (2/122; P falciparum/P vivax mixed infection) of cases. Digital tools such as FeverTracker will be critical in integrating disease surveillance, and they offer instant data digitization for downstream processing. Conclusions The use of this technology in health care and research will strengthen the ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria. Moreover, FeverTracker provides a modifiable template for deployment in other disease systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Pal Bhowmick
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | | | | | - Nilay Nishant
- North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Umaim, India
| | - P L N Raju
- North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Umaim, India
| | - Kanwar Narain
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | | | - Rocky Pebam
- North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Umaim, India
| | - Jayanta Debnath
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Rabindra Tripura
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Kongkona Gogoi
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Suman Ch Nag
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Aatreyee Nath
- North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Umaim, India
| | - Debabrata Tripathy
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Jotish Debbarma
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Nirapada Das
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Ujjwal Sarkar
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Rislyn Debbarma
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Rajashree Roy
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Bishal Debnath
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Dipanjan Dasgupta
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Suraj Debbarma
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Kamal Joy Tripura
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Guneram Reang
- Regional Medical Research Centre-Northeastern Region, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- National Institute of Malaria Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Dwarka, Delhi, India.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Manju Rahi
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Chhibber-Goel
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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