Question

Select a health program with which you are familiar.

a. Briefly state the hypotheses that constitute the effect theory of the program.

b. What are the intervention components and the specific interventions?

c. Develop an effect theory of the program theory used by the program.

d. Do a brief literature search to determine whether the scientific evidence supports the interventions used.

Answer 1

MALARIA ERADICATION PROGRAM

A) Hypothesis: The application of the vector control measures have decreased malarial cases prevalent in community.

B) Intervention components: The intervention that was adopted in the malaria eradication program was :

• Public health surveillance system
• curative services
• preventive interventions
• a program for community involvement
• Conducting operational research.

Specific interventions:

• Vector control
• Environmental hygiene
• Screening
• Community participation
• Prophylactic antibiotics and antimalarial drugs

C) The most important reason for increased mortality due to malaria was the poor vector control and unidentified cases. The theory of the program was planned focussing on eliminating these two factors which contributed to the malarial cases. The vector control program was launched in a mass population. Initially the awareness about the vector transmission, how does it breed, which areas are mostly prone to have malaria, what measures can be taken to stop breeding of mosquitoes was provided through various social media, advertizing posters, classes in primary health centers. The people were taught about the signs and symptoms of malaria and were advised to undergo blood test for malaria if any episode of fever or other related symptoms are noted. The early identification of cases helped to manage the cases positive for malarial parasite.

D) There have been many scholarly publications available which gives scientific evidence support the interventions used. Examples :

• A research agenda to underpin malaria eradication, PL Alonso
• A new global malaria eradication strategy, R. Feachem
• Integrated vector management for malaria control, JC Beier

There are many other letters and pulications which proves the above stated hypothesis. Statistical review of the malarial cases over years have shown decreased incidences of malaria by the use of vector control measures and early identification of cases. The mortality rates due to malaria have also declined. The review of literature also emphasised the effectiveness of community participation in vector control measures. The malarial control program has being a world wide target and much more have to be done to declare it to be eradicated.