Addressing key gaps in implementation of mosquito larviciding to accelerate malaria vector control in southern Tanzania: results of a stakeholder engagement process in local district councils

Malaria Journal

Frederic Tripet¹  Ann H. Kelly²  Ismail H. Nambunga³  Prosper P. Chaki³  Salum A. Mapua³  Betwel J. Msugupakulya⁴  Marceline F. Finda⁵  Fredros O. Okumu⁶  Javier Lezaun⁷  Kusirye Ukio⁸  Nicola Christofides⁹ 

[1]Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Huxley Building, ST5 5BG, Keele, Staffordshire, UK

[2]Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK

[3]Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Morogoro, Tanzania

[4]Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Morogoro, Tanzania

[5]School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania

[6]Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Morogoro, Tanzania

[7]School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

[8]Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Morogoro, Tanzania

[9]School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

[10]School of Life Science and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania

[11]Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow, UK

[12]Institute for Science, Innovation and Society, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, 64 Banbury Road, OX2 6PN, Oxford, UK

[13]President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government, Morogoro Regional Secretariat, P.O. Box 610, Morogoro, Tanzania

[14]School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

关键词: Malaria control;    Malaria elimination;    Larviciding;    Larval source management;    Biolarvicides;    Stakeholders;    Public perception;    Tanzania;    Ifakara Health Institute;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12936-021-03661-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLarval source management was historically one of the most effective malaria control methods but is now widely deprioritized in Africa, where insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are preferred. However, in Tanzania, following initial successes in urban Dar-es-Salaam starting early-2000s, the government now encourages larviciding in both rural and urban councils nationwide to complement other efforts; and a biolarvicide production-plant has been established outside the commercial capital. This study investigated key obstacles and opportunities relevant to effective rollout of larviciding for malaria control, with a focus on the meso-endemic region of Morogoro, southern Tanzania.MethodsKey-informants were interviewed to assess awareness and perceptions regarding larviciding among designated health officials (malaria focal persons, vector surveillance officers and ward health officers) in nine administrative councils (n = 27). Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess awareness and perceptions of community members in selected areas regarding larviciding (n = 490). Thematic content analysis was done and descriptive statistics used to summarize the findings.ResultsA majority of malaria control officials had participated in larviciding at least once over the previous three years. A majority of community members had neutral perceptions towards positive aspects of larviciding, but overall support for larviciding was high, although several challenges were expressed, notably: (i) insufficient knowledge for identifying relevant aquatic habitats of malaria vectors and applying larvicides, (ii) inadequate monitoring of programme effectiveness, (iii) limited financing, and (iv) lack of personal protective equipment. Although the key-informants reported sensitizing local communities, most community members were still unaware of larviciding and its potential.ConclusionsThe larviciding programme was widely supported by both communities and malaria control officials, but there were gaps in technical knowledge, implementation and public engagement. To improve overall impact, it is important to: (i) intensify training efforts, particularly for identifying habitats of important vectors, (ii) adopt standard technical principles for applying larvicides or larval source management, (iii) improve financing for local implementation and (iv) improve public engagement to boost community awareness and participation. These lessons could also be valuable for other malaria endemic areas wishing to deploy larviciding for malaria control or elimination.

【 授权许可】

CC BY