Feasibility of using selected essential monitoring and evaluation indicators for measuring success and problems of roll back malaria activities in Rufiji district

Abstract

Tanzania has adapted the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative. This study was set to explore the feasibility of ITNs, intermittent presumptive treatment (I PT) and advocacy and information, education and communication (IEC) as among the selected essential monitoring and evaluation (M&E) indicators for measuring success and problems of malaria control activities in Rufiji district. Thirty-six health workers from 15 government health facilities were purposefully selected. Indepth interviews and group discussions were held, and community based questionnaire survey was done with 95 pregnant women systematically sampled from the Rufiji Demographic Surveillance System (RDSS) records. Respondents at all levels of the health facilities mentioned IMCI and ITNs as among health programs implemented in the district. Advocacy IEC was mentioned by only 30% of the district hospital level staff. Intermittent presumptive treatment (IPT) was never mentioned. Again findings showed that 50% of junior staff were not aware of RBM. Over 90% of the senior staff were aware of it and 46% of them obtained information through formal channels, the remaining through informal channels. About 8% and 10% of the health centres and dispensary levels respectively rr-entioned IMCI training to be the source of information about RBM.

VI These findings suggest that the information about health programs, like RBM and their significance were not equally diffused among health workers at all levels. It seemed that RBM initiative was static at senior level health personnel. The survey on the use of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) for IPT and ITNs among pregnant women was only 22% .and 20% respectively. Inappropriate focus, knowledge and skills of RBM monitoring and evaluation indicators for tracking malaria control activities were mentioned to be a major - - obstacle for M&E of malaria control activities. Training on RBM among health facility staff at all levels for uniform understanding and effective implementation of M&E of malaria control activities was important.