Administration of health services and challenges in the management of the prevention and control of malaria in Zambia: the case of Luangwa district
Date
2020
Authors
Siachisa, Musole
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Malaria is a major public health concern in Zambia and it has for a long time remained
the leading cause of morbidity and mortality especially among the under five children
and pregnant women. Historically, Zambia has been implementing malaria control
measures from the colonial/pre-independence era, through the post-independence
period to date. Despite the efforts, the disease has continued to be a serious concern
especially in rural districts like Luangwa.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the administration of health services and
challenges in the management of prevention and control of malaria. Using the case
study strategy, the research investigates the administration of health services and
challenges in the management of the prevention and control of malaria in Luangwa
District of Zambia. The research is both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Two
types of data were collected, namely, secondary and primary data. Primary data was
collected from samples of key informants using interview guides and respondents (local
people) using structured questionnaires. The total number of key informants is 46
which included 2 managers from the District Health Office, 19 health providers, 15
neighbourhood health committee members and 10 community health workers. The total
number for the local people (respondents) who were interviewed is 200. Secondary data
was collected by reading documents on malaria control. The quantitative data was
analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and qualitative data was
analysed using the method of content analysis.
The findings reveal that government and its cooperating partners has been
implementing various malaria control measures in Luangwa District. These control
measures include; insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, community
sensitization, health infrastructure, human resource for health, malaria case
management and prevention of malaria in pregnancy. However, the measures were not
adequate to effectively control malaria. The study also revealed that the community
members do not fully utilise the measures which are being implemented to control
malaria. Further, the local people are not fully involved in malaria control programmes
for successful implementation; instead, they are just mere recipients of the services
which were provided by programme implementers. The implication is the continued
high prevalence rate of malaria in the district.
Keywords: Malaria, Malaria Control, Community participation, Decentralisation.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Malaria--Prevention , Malaria--Law and prevention--Zambia , Malaria--Prevention--Luangwa district, Zambia