Community sensitization to improve acceptability of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in Mewat district of Haryana,
Pawan Kumar Goel1, Arun Kumar1, Manju Rahi2
1Department of Community Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Govt Medical College Nalhar, Mewat, Haryana, India.
Background & Objectives:
Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is an important part of malaria prevention and control strategies for villages with annual parasitic incidence (API) of more than 5, or other criteria by National Program of the country. At the time of conception of the study, i.e., in 2012, district Mewat in Haryana state, India was malaria endemic including 35 malaria high risk villages with API more than 5. The current study aimed to improve acceptability of IRS among the residents of Mewat district.
Methods:
This was a community based interventional study. Out of the 14 sub-centers, there were 12 sub-centers catering the population of 79 villages, out of which 35 villages had API of more than five, and hence, fulfilled the criteria for regular IRS. Considering sub-center as the unit of randomization, out of all the 12 sub-centers which cater population of villages with API > 5, equal number of the sub-centers matched according to the population size of those villages were assigned to the intervention and non-intervention (control) groups by randomization using lottery technique. The intervention comprised community sensitization through community meetings, wall paintings and distribution of pamphlets. Baseline and post intervention acceptability of IRS was measured and compared.
Results:
There was 21.7% (95% CI 16.12 to 27.15) increase in intention to accept IRS as per guidelines, and 15.2% (95% CI 9.50 to 20.80) increase in the actual acceptance of IRS in intervention group of villages in Mewat district.
Interpretation & Conclusion:
The intervention can bring about significant increase in the acceptability of IRS which is an important component of malaria control under national programme in district Mewat, Haryana, India.
Insights
Community sensitization significantly increased acceptance of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) for malaria prevention in high-risk villages. This intervention is crucial for malaria control programs in endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vector-borne Disease Control
Background:
- Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is a key malaria prevention strategy for areas with high Annual Parasitic Incidence (API).
- District Mewat, Haryana, India, was identified as malaria-endemic with 35 high-risk villages (API > 5) in 2012.
- Improving community acceptance of IRS is vital for effective malaria control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the acceptability of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) among residents in malaria-endemic villages of Mewat district.
- To evaluate the impact of a community sensitization intervention on IRS acceptance.
Main Methods:
- A community-based, randomized controlled study was conducted in 12 sub-centers serving villages with API > 5.
- Sub-centers were randomized into intervention (community sensitization) and control groups.
- Intervention included community meetings, educational wall paintings, and pamphlet distribution; IRS acceptability was measured pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed a 21.7% increase in the intention to accept IRS.
- Actual IRS acceptance increased by 15.2% in the intervention villages.
- These increases were statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Community sensitization interventions can significantly improve IRS acceptability in malaria-endemic regions.
- Enhanced IRS acceptance is crucial for the success of national malaria control programs.
- The findings support the implementation of similar interventions in Mewat district and other malaria-affected areas.
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