Integration of Dengue Control Into National Malaria Control Program In Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: While Tanzania is implementing the Neglected Tropic Diseases Program (NTD), Dengue is not part of this program. Tanzania is also implementing the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), another mosquito-borne disease program. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Dengue to be included in the Integrated Vector Management (IVM). There is a dearth of information on why Dengue is not featuring in any of NTD or NMCP while the IVM is not implemented accordingly in Tanzania. The objective of the study: To explore the organizational, technical, and individual factors for the integration of dengue control into the malaria control program in Tanzania. Materials and Methods: An exploratory Cross-sectional study design was conducted whereby a qualitative approach was used. Fifteen key informants were purposefully selected from MoHCDGEC, NMCP, and NTD. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected information. Results: The study found that adequacy of human resources to support integration, the existence of defined organizational structure, the existence of policy and guidelines, availability of funds or integration, and stakeholders’ interests; are all organizational facilitators for the integration of dengue into malaria national control program in Tanzania. Additionally, adequacy of knowledge and skills in controlling dengue and malaria, positive perception and attitude towards integration, and motivation toward integration; were all found to be individual facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. Moreover, the existence of systems for reporting, adequate technical devices/facilities, and adequate technical tools for data collection were also found to be the technical facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. However, the study also revealed some barriers to the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. The study found three perceived barriers namely; additional costs, varying donor interests, and additional workload, which were all, found to be organizational barriers for integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Also, the perceived negative attitude was found to be an individual barrier towards the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program. Conclusion: Based on the study objective and study findings, the study has shown that it is possible to integrate dengue into the national malaria control program. The organizational, technical and individual factors can influence the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors (organizational, technical and individual) during the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Recommendations: Based on the possibility for integration as revealed by this study, a feasibility study is recommended for integrating dengue into the National Malaria Control Program. The feasibility study will pave the way for further knowledge to broaden the economic, managerial, and technical aspects of integration.

ABSTRACT Background: While Tanzania is implementing the Neglected Tropic Diseases Program (NTD), Dengue is not part of this program. Tanzania is also implementing the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), another mosquito-borne disease program. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Dengue to be included in the Integrated Vector Management (IVM). There is a dearth of information on why Dengue is not featuring in any of NTD or NMCP while the IVM is not implemented accordingly in Tanzania. The objective of the study: To explore the organizational, technical, and individual factors for the integration of dengue control into the malaria control program in Tanzania. Materials and Methods: An exploratory Cross-sectional study design was conducted whereby a qualitative approach was used. Fifteen key informants were purposefully selected from MoHCDGEC, NMCP, and NTD. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected information. Results: The study found that adequacy of human resources to support integration, the existence of defined organizational structure, the existence of policy and guidelines, availability of funds or integration, and stakeholders’ interests; are all organizational facilitators for the integration of dengue into malaria national control program in Tanzania. Additionally, adequacy of knowledge and skills in controlling dengue and malaria, positive perception and attitude towards integration, and motivation toward integration; were all found to be individual facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. Moreover, the existence of systems for reporting, adequate technical devices/facilities, and adequate technical tools for data collection were also found to be the technical facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. However, the study also revealed some barriers to the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. The study found three perceived barriers namely; additional costs, varying donor interests, and additional workload, which were all, found to be organizational barriers for integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Also, the perceived negative attitude was found to be an individual barrier towards the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program. Conclusion: Based on the study objective and study findings, the study has shown that it is possible to integrate dengue into the national malaria control program. The organizational, technical and individual factors can influence the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors (organizational, technical and individual) during the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Recommendations: Based on the possibility for integration as revealed by this study, a feasibility study is recommended for integrating dengue into the National Malaria Control Program. The feasibility study will pave the way for further knowledge to broaden the economic, managerial, and technical aspects of integration.

ABSTRACT Background: While Tanzania is implementing the Neglected Tropic Diseases Program (NTD), Dengue is not part of this program. Tanzania is also implementing the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), another mosquito-borne disease program. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Dengue to be included in the Integrated Vector Management (IVM). There is a dearth of information on why Dengue is not featuring in any of NTD or NMCP while the IVM is not implemented accordingly in Tanzania. The objective of the study: To explore the organizational, technical, and individual factors for the integration of dengue control into the malaria control program in Tanzania. Materials and Methods: An exploratory Cross-sectional study design was conducted whereby a qualitative approach was used. Fifteen key informants were purposefully selected from MoHCDGEC, NMCP, and NTD. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the collected information. Results: The study found that adequacy of human resources to support integration, the existence of defined organizational structure, the existence of policy and guidelines, availability of funds or integration, and stakeholders’ interests; are all organizational facilitators for the integration of dengue into malaria national control program in Tanzania. Additionally, adequacy of knowledge and skills in controlling dengue and malaria, positive perception and attitude towards integration, and motivation toward integration; were all found to be individual facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. Moreover, the existence of systems for reporting, adequate technical devices/facilities, and adequate technical tools for data collection were also found to be the technical facilitators for the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program in Tanzania. However, the study also revealed some barriers to the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. The study found three perceived barriers namely; additional costs, varying donor interests, and additional workload, which were all, found to be organizational barriers for integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Also, the perceived negative attitude was found to be an individual barrier towards the integration of dengue into the malaria national control program. Conclusion: Based on the study objective and study findings, the study has shown that it is possible to integrate dengue into the national malaria control program. The organizational, technical and individual factors can influence the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors (organizational, technical and individual) during the integration of dengue into the national malaria control program. Recommendations: Based on the possibility for integration as revealed by this study, a feasibility study is recommended for integrating dengue into the National Malaria Control Program. The feasibility study will pave the way for further knowledge to broaden the economic, managerial, and technical aspects of integration.