Readiness of malaria elimination in community and health facility of Mannaung Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar in 2022: a mixed-methods study

Wint Phyo Than; Aye Sandar Mon; Khaing Lay Mon; Than Naing Soe; Hla Hla Win

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20242539

Authors

Wint Phyo Than Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Aye Sandar Mon Department of Biostatistics and Medical Demography, University of Public Health, Yangon, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
Khaing Lay Mon Department of Health Behaviour and Communication, University of Public Health, Yangon, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
Than Naing Soe Nay Pyi Taw Territory Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
Hla Hla Win University of Public Health, Yangon, Ministry of Health, Myanmar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20242539

Keywords:

Myanmar, Seeking-behaviour, Surveillance, Malaria elimination

Abstract

Background: Myanmar aims to eliminate Plasmodium falciparum malaria by 2025 and all human strains by 2030. In 2018, three townships including Mannaung township in Rakhine State were chosen for elimination pilot projects. The readiness assessment of community health-seeking behaviour and healthcare services of a malaria surveillance system for malaria elimination was conducted in Mannaung township.

Methods: In December 2022, a mixed-methods survey interviewed 400 villagers regarding health-seeking behaviour and in-depth interviews (IDI) with Healthcare Providers (HCPs) from eight Health Centers and three hospitals for healthcare services of surveillance systems for malaria elimination.

Results: Of 400 households, 154 (38.5%) had at least one family member contracting fever in the last 3 months. Among the 686 members contacted, 220 (32.1%) had a fever within the 3 months. Of these reported fever, 70 respondents (31.8%) were tested with RDT of which 51 (72.9%) were tested within 24 hours. Three main themes emerged from qualitative data analysis: experience of malaria prevention and control activities, malaria case-based response activities and suggestions to improve malaria surveillance. Although most of the HCPs expressed their understanding of testing criteria for malaria elimination, some had a knowledge gap in malaria elimination response activities. The HCPs received malaria elimination training in 2019, but they suggested providing malaria elimination-related training annually.

Conclusions: The readiness assessment revealed delayed health-seeking behaviour in malaria thus awareness raising within the community should be provided. The HCPs need to enhance their ability to conduct surveillance activities for malaria elimination.

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