Determining the impact of community awareness-raising activities on the prevention of malaria transmission in Palawan, the Philippines

Matsumoto-Takahashi, Emilie Louise Akiko; Tongol-Rivera, Pilarita; Villacorte, Elena A.; Angluben, Ray U.; Yasuoka, Junko; Kano, Shigeyuki; Jimba, Masamine

doi:10.1016/j.parint.2014.01.008

Cited by 11 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In our previous study [13], three aspects of knowledge (malaria transmission, vector species, and vector’s most active time) were found to be associated with better self-implemented prevention (knowledge on malaria transmission was most highly associated). Knowledge on malaria symptoms, on the other hand, was not associated with better prevention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As with the previous studies [12,13], the “knowledge on malaria” questionnaire was derived from the index developed by Yasuoka et al [25]. Quality of participants’ understanding on malaria was measured by 4 parts: 5 questions on “malaria symptoms,” 7 questions on “malaria transmission,” 6 questions on “vector species,” and 4 questions on “vector’s most active time.” Correct answers were coded as “2.” Incorrect answers were coded as “1.” Each of the 4 items was divided by its maximum number of points, to give a maximum score of “1,” which was treated as a continuous variable.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In rural areas such as Palawan, where there is a recognized paucity of formal public and private healthcare providers, the utilization of CHWs is a potentially inexpensive, effective, and sustainable approach for bringing malaria diagnosis and treatment closer to households [8–10]. Through this community-based strategy, which was launched in 1999 [11–13], the annual parasite index (API) per 1,000 population in Palawan decreased from 27.6 in 2004 to 13.0 in 2010, however, the annual number of cases in 2012 still exceeded 1,000 [2–6]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two studies which aimed to form strategies to reduce malaria re-infection among ex-patients who visited microscopists in Palawan have been conducted [12,13]. The first suggested that enhancement of “service quality” and “ability in malaria microscopy” were the keys to strengthening community awareness-raising activities for malaria prevention by microscopists [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first suggested that enhancement of “service quality” and “ability in malaria microscopy” were the keys to strengthening community awareness-raising activities for malaria prevention by microscopists [12]. The second study suggested that these activities should be effective and should be strengthened to reduce malaria re-infection among ex-patients [13]. Moreover, the study suggested that these activities should be especially focused on improving self-implemented preventive measures among ex-patients traveling to the mountains, and on enhancing knowledge on malaria transmission, especially among indigenous ex-patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Patient Knowledge on Malaria Symptoms Is a Key to Promoting Universal Access of Patients to Effective Malaria Treatment in Palawan, the Philippines

et al. 2015

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IntroductionPalawan, where health care facilities are still limited, is one of the most malaria endemic provinces in the Philippines. Since 1999, microscopists (community health workers) have been trained in malaria diagnosis and feasibility of early diagnosis and treatments have been enhanced throughout the province. To accelerate the universal access of malaria patients to diagnostic testing in Palawan, positive health seeking behavior should be encouraged when malaria infection is suspected.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, structured interviews were carried out with residents (N = 218) of 20 remote malaria-endemic villages throughout Palawan with a history of suspected malaria from January to February in 2012. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to determine factors associated with appropriate treatment, which included: (1) socio-demographic characteristics; (2) proximity to a health facility; (3) health seeking behavior; (4) knowledge on malaria; (5) participation in community awareness-raising activities.ResultsThree factors independently associated with appropriate treatment were identified by SEM (CMIN = 10.5, df = 11, CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = .000): “living near microscopist” (p < 0.001), “not living near private pharmacy” (p < 0.01), and “having severe symptoms” (p < 0.01). “Severe symptoms” were positively correlated with more “knowledge on malaria symptoms” (p < 0.001). This knowledge was significantly increased by attending “community awareness-raising activities by microscopists” (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn the resource-limited settings, microscopists played a significant role in providing appropriate treatment to all participants with severe malaria symptoms. However, it was considered that knowledge on malaria symptoms made participants more aware of their symptoms, and further progressed self-triage. Strengthening this recognition sensitivity and making residents aware of nearby microscopists may be the keys to accelerating universal access to effective malaria treatment in Palawan.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%