Creating interventions to transition long-lasting insecticide net distribution in Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveMass long-lasting insecticide net (LLIN) distribution campaigns are rolled out, as a part of the Ghana Malaria Strategic plan (2021–2025) which seeks to protect at least 80% of the population at risk with effective malaria prevention interventions. Although the mass LLIN distribution campaign indicates a comprehensive stakeholder engagement approach, it does not systematically transition into the basic primary healthcare structures within the Ghana Health Services. This paper presents the process and outcome of creating an innovative social intervention, which focuses on community mobilisation and capacity building of community health officers.MethodsThis study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach conducted across six districts in Eastern and Volta regions, Ghana. Findings were synthesised, grouped and further distilled to guide the participatory cocreation workshops. Cocreation involved participatory learning in action technique which is a practical, adaptive research strategy which enabled diverse groups and individuals to learn, work and act together in a cooperative manner.ResultsThe results suggest the establishment of a Community Health Advocacy Team (CHAT). This would be necessary in efforts aimed at transitioning LLIN distribution campaign in communities. The role of the CHAT would be centred on key elements of community/social mobilisation and capacity building, all nested in a social and behaviour change communication strategies.ConclusionThe research team is in the process of assessing the acceptability and feasibility of the CHAT intervention with all stakeholders in the various communities. Assessment of the effectiveness of the CHAT intervention would be done at a later time.

Pilot implementation of community health advocacy teams to improve the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide net distribution through both campaigns and continuous channels in Ghana: a qualitative study of opportunities and barriers to implementation

“…This approach involves adaptive research strategies that enabled diverse groups and individuals to learn, work, and act together in a co-operative manner, to focus on issues of joint concern, identify challenges, and generate positive responses in a collaborative and democratic manner. This was done by using the findings from the initial phases of the project (i.e., desk review, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and baseline surveys) ( 15 ). The participatory workshops involved various stakeholders (i.e., project investigators, NGO representatives, school health education programme coordinators, ANC nurses, disease control officers, district health management teams (DHMTs), CHOs, community leaders, and opinion leaders).…”

“…In order to use a person-centred approach to promote LLIN use which leverages CHPS and ensures community involvement, ownership, and sustainability of the LLIN mass distribution campaigns, a community health advocacy team (CHAT) was co-created in six Ghanaian communities ( 15 ). The terms of reference of the CHAT are generally based on NMCP's key elements of the campaign at the sub-district level (e.g., household registration, training, SBCC, and logistics).…”

Implementation and effectiveness outcomes of Community Health Advocacy Teams to improve long-lasting insecticide net distribution and use in six districts in Ghana: A one-group pre-post-test study

“…This guide was then used for the moderation of the PWs aimed at cocreating a LLIN campaign intervention involving various stakeholders. Findings from the PWs suggested the establishment of a CHAT can be instrumental in facilitating and improving the effectiveness of LLIN distribution campaigns within communities in Ghana [ 9 ]. The CHAT uses a person-centred approach to promote LLIN access and use by leveraging on Ghana’s Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme (i.e., primary health care system), to ensure community involvement, ownership, and sustainability of the LLIN PMD campaigns [ 9 ].…”

“…In addition to the above, some barriers to LLIN use including limited social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) activities, lack of continuous malaria education, knowledge gap on malaria prevention, inability to hang LLINs in many households due to housing type and sleeping places, as well as misuse and repurposing of LLINs have been identified and documented in numerous studies [ 9 ]. These suggest that more social, cultural, and behavioural research is needed to understand how local knowledge of transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention influences the utilisation of LLINs interventions.…”

Social innovation in health: concepts and practice

“…The special supplement also provides important insights about social innovation programmes implemented across diverse settings. A case study from Ghana highlights how community engagement can enhance the uptake of cervical cancer screening 39. Another case study from Colombia shows how social innovation can be used to enhance the prevention of cutaneous leishmaniasis 40.…”