Level of awareness among local leaders: Malaria prevention in an urban squatter settlement
Abstract
After federal and provincial government, local government is the third tier of government in Pakistan. There are over five thousand local governments in the country. Since 2001, these have been led by democratically elected... [ view full abstract ]
After federal and provincial government, local government is the third tier of government in Pakistan. There are over five thousand local governments in the country. Since 2001, these have been led by democratically elected local councils. The local governments are responsible to control the mosquitoes breeding sites by filling the ditches and arranging the fumigation services.
In 2007, 3.5 million cases of malaria were reported in Pakistan and about 50,000 people died due to malaria.
A study was conducted to assess the level of awareness of local community leaders related to vector control in malaria prevention and to explore the ways to reduce the related problems.
It was a cross-sectional quantitative analysis conducted at an urban squatter settlement . Data collection was done by using a survey questionnaire. Thirteen local community leaders were interviewed.
Study reveals that 92.3% community leaders knows malaria is spread by mosquitoes. About breeding sites; 84.6% mentioned clean water containers; 69.2% said wells; 11.0% elaborated perforations under rocks, 79.9% said water in irrigation fields. About resolving the problem at breeding sites; 11.0% suggested to fill the ditches; 61.5% were in favor of instilling oil to the water surfaces and 46.2% shared that introduction of larvicidal fishes in ponds may reduce breeding sites. Regarding prevention; 69.2% shared indoor residual spray (IRS) as protective measure; 15.4% expressed protective clothing, 61.5% were in favor of using nets; 76.9% suggested insect killing coils. About 7.7% were aware of prophylactic dose for malaria and 84.6% shared that rainy season increases the incidence of malaria.
The study reveals lack of knowledge among the community leaders regarding vector control in malaria prevention. There is need to enhance awareness level among them, so that they can effectively control the malaria problem.
Key words: local leaders, malaria, vector , awareness, breeding sites, water, prevention,
Authors
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Bilal Yousuf
(Liaquat national medical college)
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Farah Naz
(Dow Medical University)
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muhammad yousuf
(Aga)
Topic Areas
II. Urban Health at the intersection of urban environment, social determinants and places , III. Urban Environments: what specificities? 3.1 Urban Environments as places of demograph , IV. Urbanism, Health and Wellbeing 4.1 Built environment 4.2 Pollution: air, noise, etc
Session
PS-2 » POSTER SESSION 2 (11:45 - Saturday, 2nd April, TBA)
Paper
Abstract_ICUH_2010_conf_malaria.doc
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