An Assessment Of The Integrated Malaria Control Programme In The Obuasi Municipality

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a major public health threat to AngloGold Ashanti‟s operations, largely responsible for lower productivity and high expenditure on treatments. Morbidity and mortality is also known to be high in young children and pregnant women in the locality. In an effort to lessen the malaria burden on its operations, the company in 2005 introduced a 3-year malaria control programme that uses multiple approaches in what has now become known as the „Obuasi Model‟. The aim of this study is to assess the programme by examining the tools and processes being employed.

METHODS: In a community-based survey, data were collected from 241 mothers/care-givers of children under five and 103 pregnant women from 30 selected communities in the Obuasi Municipality on malaria-related knowledge and practices of malaria prevention and control. Focus Group Discussions for mothers/care-givers of children under and In-depth interviews were also conducted.

RESULTS: The results revealed significantly high level of malaria-related knowledge and practices of malaria prevention and control in the municipality. Indoor Residual Spraying was the main focus of the programme with a high coverage of 85.7% of targeted structures. The system of operations followed with due diligence the WHO recommended procedures and guidelines. However, great disparity was found to exist between ITN ownership (78.5%) and use (43.5%) by the population most at risk of the infection. The community has embraced the programme and there are calls for its long term sustainability.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate case management practices in the light of the new drug policy of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy necessary to compliment an effective integrated vector management for effective suppression of malaria transmission is highly required. There is therefore the need for further deepening of the existing collaboration between the NMCP and AGAMCP to improve on case management practices.