Community Eagerness and Participation for Supporting Eliminate Malaria

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Malaria elimination requires sustained community interest and support, particularly in regions where malaria is no longer a primary concern.
• Identifying factors that foster community participation is crucial for maintaining momentum in malaria control efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key elements for engaging communities in malaria elimination efforts.
• To understand community perceptions and barriers to participation in malaria control.

Main Methods:

• Sequential explanatory mixed methods research design.
• Utilized questionnaires assessing educational access, services, social support, trust, and norms.
• Employed ethnographic methods including participant observation, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs).

Main Results:

• Predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors were associated with community involvement in malaria elimination.
• Less than 50% of respondents had access to educational sessions; many were unaware of available services.
• Thematic analysis revealed insights into community perceptions, barriers, and training needs for involvement.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening community involvement requires a greater understanding of capacity-building strategies.
• Findings support national and regional efforts to enhance community participation for effective malaria elimination actions.