Need To Focus On Human Behavior in Malaria Control Programs

By Roperfree

The World Health Organization estimates that between 2000 and 2015, the rate of new malaria cases declined by 37 percent globally and malaria deaths fell by 60 percent, with 6.2 million lives saved. Three quarters of those gains can be attributed to interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying for mosquitoes.

But those interventions are only designed to work indoors.

While there has been such great progress in malaria control programs which is still hard to eliminate to zero without the availability of new intervention tools such as; Roperfree mosquito repellents.

According to Roperfree research findings conducted during malaria sensitization campaigns, discovered the need to focus on human behavior instead of solely on mosquito behavior.

Roperfree research study analyzed data from 62 in-depth interviews with community members, medical workers, supermarket attendants and community/religious leaders conducted in December 2018 and May/June 2019.

The researchers also looked at data from night time observation of routine community activities, such as buying and selling at local shops, watching television in public spaces and socializing in small groups, as well as large-scale community events such as weddings and religious ceremonies.

The researchers found little evidence of people using protection against mosquitoes outdoors. "Participants reported that topical repellents were not widely available in the community and were only sold at shops in town”.

As one woman who was interviewed remarked, "When you are outside, you really can't wear the bed nets, can you?"

There is a great opportunity to explore the use of mosquito control tools beyond nets and spraying alongside social and behavior change interventions to help address these identified gaps in malaria prevention that occur after dark.

Therefore, we call upon the National Malaria Control Programs to fill the missing gaps by offering repellents to the most vulnerable groups such as; children below five years of age and the pregnant mothers.

The public has to change the trend by making the use of mosquito repellents available such as; Roperfree Brand Products because the onus is on every individual to protect their lives against malaria by use of repellents during the day time when mosquitoes start to bite.  Let the government do its part under malaria control programs and the public take initiative in keeping their lives safe by use of available preventative tools instead of waiting for the government to provide the free preventative tools.

Eliminating and controlling malaria is not an easy task in the Sub-Saharan countries like Uganda with high malaria transmission because even if the National Malaria Control Program provide repellents to the most vulnerable groups and skip out men/women who are often outside at night whether working, studying or socializing, then the vulnerable group could be put at risk.

Roperfree a social enterprise company came into existence to provide solution to problem of malaria endemic countries in order to save lives & Roperfree Brand Products can be purchased on major e-commerce platforms such as; Amazon, eBay and Jumia or via the following outlets in and around Kampala:

Backpackers Hostel & Campsite- Mengo- Kampala 

Numack Pharmacy- Mengo, Kampala

Aidchild- Equation Gallery & Art cafe, Mbarara -Masaka Road

Kenjoy Supermarket- Najjanankumbi on Entebbe Road

Beauty Dreams Shop. No 63 Pioneer Mall, Kampala

Spring Pharmacy-Wilson Rd, Kampala

Mega Supermarket; Old taxi park & Garden City Mall

Friecca Pharmacy- Wandegeya

Majex Pharmacy- Kajjansi

West-Link Pharmacies; Lubowa Quality Village Mall- Lubowa & Kitende

Asian African commodities-Italian Supermarket; Muyenga- Kabalagala

John-Rich Supermarket- Kabalagala

Kasumba Square-Busega, Kampala

Malakai- Eco- Hotel- Kitende (for guest’s access only)

Eureka Hotel- Ntinda (on pilot project)

Ssese Beach Hotel- Ssese Island (for guests only)