dc.description.abstract |
A cross-sectional situation analysis of malaria control activities was conducted in Rufiji
District along Coastal Tanzania. Three divisions out of six were covered. The study
involved four study populations comprising of Health care providers, District leaders
including community PHC members and village leaders, community members and a
retrospective analysis of in-patient records. The main objective was to assess the
performance of malaria control activities. Specifically coverage / promotion of
Insecticide Treated Nets, Malaria case management and knowledge, practices of health
care providers including the community was assessed. In addition, the district health
plan was reviewed to ascertain whether the goals and targets were evidence based. The
District health plan was explicit about malaria as a public health problem and clearly
defined its implementation strategies and targets. However, in practice, malaria control
was greatly deficient. The ITNs coverage is below 20%, malaria case management is
variable depending on availability of facilities, knowledge about malaria control
arriongst health staff is lacking and not uniform. Knowledge of the population about
malaria is also flawed and their participation is questionable. This is reflected by 30% of
the community respondents still seek traditional healers to treat their febrile children.
Poverty was identified as a major constraint. The results of the situation analysis are
discussed in the light of these constraints. Recommendations are suggested for the
district as well the central Government. |
en_GB |