A qualitative study on community perceptions on quality of healthcare services they received in the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in district Mandla, India

Abstract

Background The utilization and impact of the healthcare services depend on the perceived quality, appropriateness, ease of availability, and cost of the services. This study aimed to understand the community's perception of the quality of healthcare services delivered as part of the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP), Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods The study used qualitative techniques to analyze the community perceptions that emerged from the participants’ narratives during the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth Interviews with Key Informants (IKIs) on the promptness and quality of healthcare service delivery, the behaviour of MEDP staff, Information, Education and Communication, and Behavioural Change Communication activities, coordination with community members and other health personnel, and capacity building of healthcare workers and the community. Results 36 FGDs and 63 IKIs with 419 respondents were conducted in nine blocks of district Mandla. Overall, 97% to 100% of beneficiaries associated MEDP with regularity and prompt service delivery, availability of diagnostics and drugs, friendly behaviour, good coordination, and community mobilization to enhance treatment-seeking behaviour. Conclusions The study's findings highlighted the importance of building and maintaining the community's participation and promoting the demand for optimal utilization of healthcare services inside the village to promptly achieve the malaria elimination goal.

Strength in struggle: unravelling the journey of national vector borne disease control programme India: a comprehensive SWOT analysis

“…The interventions implemented as part of MEDP have successfully led to the sustainable achievement of zero indigenous malaria cases in Mandla. 14 Similarly, to attain the elimination of Kala Azar (which is endemic in eastern States of India namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), a comprehensive strategy has been implemented since 2016. One of the key components of this strategy is the implementation of Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) twice a year in all households across all districts.…”