Question

What is the challenges for prevention and control of malaria. Do you think public health strategies for malaria control should focus more on reducing morbidity (illness), reducing mortality (deaths), or preventing new cases? Why? How might your tactics differ based on geographic location? If you had 20 million dollars to allocate to a poor, malaria infested country, what would you do with it in order to achieve the greatest impact on the disease burden in that country? What are the most effective control strategies? How might cultural competence factor into achieving your goal(s)?

If any refs are used, list them please

Answer 1

1. Controlling mosquitoes thereby the invading of the organism is the biggest challenge in eradicating malaria. Drug resistance by the malaria causing organism P.falciparum is the major challenge reported in South East Asia. Almost all countries have reported the resistance against Chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxin-pyrimethamine (SP).

Insecticide resistance is another challenge reported, mostly in India.

2. The public health strategy mostly is to prevent new cases by preventing the invading of the organism from one person to another.

3. Geographic location is an important factor controlling malaria because there are areas where mosquitoes grow in abundance.

4. 20 million dollars should be used effectively. The money management is very important for the success of any venture. The money should be allocated for a mosquito-free country, which prevents the endemic. The strategies should be followed are

1. There should be public awareness programmes and blood testing camps. Public should be aware of the importance of hygienes to keep away mosquitoes from their environments.

2. There should be adequate basic facilities of public toilets, if not, should be constructed. People should be appointed to ensure the cleanliness of them.

3. Find out and avoid the chance for stagnant water in canals, roads and other water resources. Take measures to avoid the growth of mosquitoes in public places.

4. The country should have a proper drainage system in various parts, for the smooth flow of drainage from houses, industrial areas without accumulating near the buildings.

5. There should be an effective monitoring programme for drug and insecticide resistance.