Evaluation of intensified behaviour change communication strategies in an artemisinin resistance setting

Abstract

BackgroundIn Cambodia, behaviour change communication (BCC) represents an integral component of malaria efforts aimed at fighting artemisinin resistant parasites and achieving elimination. The multi-pronged BCC interventions include interpersonal communication through village health volunteers (VHVs) and village malaria workers (VMWs), broadcasting malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment messages via TV, radio and mobile broadcasting units (MBUs), distributing information education and communication (IEC) materials and introducing mobile malaria workers (MMWs) in endemic villages.MethodsThis was a cross sectional household survey using a stratified multi-stage cluster sampling approach, conducted in December 2012. A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used; 30 villages were selected (15 in each stratum) and a total of 774 households were interviewed. This survey aimed to assess the potential added effect of ‘intense’ BCC interventions in three Western provinces. Conducted 2 years after start of these efforts, ‘non-intense’ BCC (niBBC) interventions (e.g., radio or TV) were compared to “intense” BCC (iBBC) implemented through a set of interpersonal communication strategies such as VMWs, VHVs, mobile broadcasting units and listener viewer clubs.ResultsIn both groups, the knowledge of the mode of malaria transmission was high (96.9 vs 97.2 %; p = 0.83), as well as of fever as a symptom (91.5 vs 93.5 %; p = 0.38). Knowledge of local risk factors, such as staying in the forest (39.7 vs 30.7 %; p = 0.17) or the farm (7.1 vs 5.1 %; p = 0.40) was low in both groups. Few respondents in either group knew that they must get tested if they suspected malaria (0.3 vs 0.1; p = 0.69). However, iBBC increased the discussions about malaria in the family (51.7 vs 35.8 %; p = 0.002) and reported prompt access to treatment in case of fever (77.1 vs 59.4 %; p < 0.01).ConclusionThe use of iBCC supported positive improvements in both attitudes and behaviours among the population with regard to malaria compared to mass media (niBCC) only. The significantly increase in people seeking treatment for fever in iBCC villages supports Objective Five of the Strategic Plan in the Cambodia Malaria Elimination Action Framework (2016–2020). Therefore, this study provides evidence for the planning and implementation of future BCC interventions to achieve the elimination of artemisinin resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1276-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Role of information, education, and communication in enrollment of health insurance: A case of Nepal

“…The similar result was observed in Liberia that the women who listened radio spots were encouraged to care their child and visit health facilities of their babies appear with fever (36). (38). Another study from Odisha, India shows that drugs adherence to IEC was significantly higher in receiving Artemisinin combination therapyin experiment group compared to control (39).…”

Caregivers’ Malaria Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes, and Related Factors in the Bata District, Equatorial Guinea

“…An improved behavioural change communication strategy, based on the key elements of malaria control interventions, has been proven to help individuals and communities to overcome these inequalities in health provision [14,45]. …”

“…Communication activities aimed at generating behavioural changes, based on face-to face education strategies, can foster positive changes in attitude to disease control compared to impersonal mass media campaigns [14]. In the assessment of the potential ways of improving malaria control strategies, there is global agreement on the necessity of operational research that would help to create context specific messages based in scientific evidence [15].…”

Association of information, education, and communication; and enrollment in health insurance: A case of Nepal

“…The similar result was observed in Liberia that the women who listened radio spots were encouraged to care their child and visit health facilities of their babies appear with fever (38). (40). Consequently a study from Odisha, India shows that drugs adherence to IEC was significantly higher in receiving Artemisia in combination therapy in experiment group compared to control (41).…”