TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge of human social and behavioral factors essential for the success of community malaria control intervention programs
T2 - The case of Lomahasha in Swaziland
AU - Dlamini, Sabelo V.
AU - Liao, Chien-Wei
AU - Dlamini, Zandile H.
AU - Siphepho, Jameson S.
AU - Cheng, Po-Ching
AU - Chuang, Ting-Wu
AU - Fan, Chia-Kwung
PY - 2017/4
Y1 - 2017/4
N2 - Background: Although malaria control programs have made rapid progress recently, they neglect important social and behavioral factors associated with the disease. Social, political, and cultural factors are involved in malaria control, and individuals in a community may be comfortable in behaving in ways that, to an outsider, may seem contrary to commonly held perceptions. Malaria control efforts can no longer afford to overlook the multidimensional human contexts that create and support varying notions of malaria and its prevention, treatment, and control. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of malaria issues in the community, and to identify practices that support or hinder the progress of malaria control programs. Methods: A triangulation study involving individual interviews, focus group discussions, and observatory analysis between 2003 and 2010 at Lomahasha, a malarious community on the eastern border of Swaziland and Mozambique, was conducted. Results: Results indicated that a high knowledge level and good perception of the disease were observed in the age group of <40 years, contrary to those in higher age groups, among the Lomahasha community members. However, behavior of certain community groups includes practices that are not supportive of the national control program's aspirations, such as delay in seeking medical attention, staying outdoors until late, maintaining stagnant water in roadside excavations, and seeking medical assistance from wrong sources. Malpractices are more commonly observed among men, boys, and those who drink alcohol. Conclusion: This study suggests a thorough community diagnosis before all intervention programs for malaria control are instituted.
AB - Background: Although malaria control programs have made rapid progress recently, they neglect important social and behavioral factors associated with the disease. Social, political, and cultural factors are involved in malaria control, and individuals in a community may be comfortable in behaving in ways that, to an outsider, may seem contrary to commonly held perceptions. Malaria control efforts can no longer afford to overlook the multidimensional human contexts that create and support varying notions of malaria and its prevention, treatment, and control. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of malaria issues in the community, and to identify practices that support or hinder the progress of malaria control programs. Methods: A triangulation study involving individual interviews, focus group discussions, and observatory analysis between 2003 and 2010 at Lomahasha, a malarious community on the eastern border of Swaziland and Mozambique, was conducted. Results: Results indicated that a high knowledge level and good perception of the disease were observed in the age group of <40 years, contrary to those in higher age groups, among the Lomahasha community members. However, behavior of certain community groups includes practices that are not supportive of the national control program's aspirations, such as delay in seeking medical attention, staying outdoors until late, maintaining stagnant water in roadside excavations, and seeking medical assistance from wrong sources. Malpractices are more commonly observed among men, boys, and those who drink alcohol. Conclusion: This study suggests a thorough community diagnosis before all intervention programs for malaria control are instituted.
KW - Community malaria control
KW - Intervention programs
KW - Social and behavioral factors
KW - Swaziland
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.05.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.05.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 26063206
AN - SCOPUS:84930408072
SN - 0253-2662
VL - 50
SP - 245
EP - 253
JO - Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
JF - Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
IS - 2
ER -