P Linn Aung1, Tassanee Silawan2, Tassanee Rawiworrakul3, Myo Min4. 1. Dr and Deputy Project Manager, Medical Association - Malaria Project, Yangon, Myanmar. 2. Assistant Professor and Dr, Departments of Community Health and Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. 3. Assistant Professor and Dr, Departments of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. 4. Dr and Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Village health volunteers (VHVs) are key agents for malaria control in community. The Myanmar Medical Association-Malaria (MMA-Malaria) Project has promoted effective malaria control in endemic and high-risk townships by supporting roles of VHVs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the roles of VHVs on malaria control and factors enhancing their roles in rural Myanmar. METHODS: : A cross-sectional study was conducted in five townships where the MMA-Malaria Project has been implemented. One hundred and fifty VHVs were sampled from five townships by simple random sampling. Data were collected by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires, which covered sociodemographic, supportive, motivational factors, and roles of malaria control. Studied variables were described by proportions, means, and standard deviations and were analyzed for their association by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Most of VHVs (96%) expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but only 44.0% exhibited current roles at a good level. Factors enhancing their roles were female (P = 0.037), family income ≥50,001 kyat/month (P < 0.015), time serving as a volunteer 1-2 years (P = 0.006), good knowledge of malaria control (P < 0.001), good family support (P < 0.001), good community support (P < 0.001), and good motivational factors (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: VHVs are key agents for malaria control in community. Most of VHVs expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but less than half of them exhibited current roles at a good level. The systems and program for improving VHVs' knowledge, encouraging family and community support, and promoting motivation are essential for their better roles.
BACKGROUND: Village health volunteers (VHVs) are key agents for malaria control in community. The Myanmar Medical Association-Malaria (MMA-Malaria) Project has promoted effective malaria control in endemic and high-risk townships by supporting roles of VHVs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the roles of VHVs on malaria control and factors enhancing their roles in rural Myanmar. METHODS: : A cross-sectional study was conducted in five townships where the MMA-Malaria Project has been implemented. One hundred and fifty VHVs were sampled from five townships by simple random sampling. Data were collected by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires, which covered sociodemographic, supportive, motivational factors, and roles of malaria control. Studied variables were described by proportions, means, and standard deviations and were analyzed for their association by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Most of VHVs (96%) expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but only 44.0% exhibited current roles at a good level. Factors enhancing their roles were female (P = 0.037), family income ≥50,001 kyat/month (P < 0.015), time serving as a volunteer 1-2 years (P = 0.006), good knowledge of malaria control (P < 0.001), good family support (P < 0.001), good community support (P < 0.001), and good motivational factors (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: VHVs are key agents for malaria control in community. Most of VHVs expected to demonstrate good roles on malaria control, but less than half of them exhibited current roles at a good level. The systems and program for improving VHVs' knowledge, encouraging family and community support, and promoting motivation are essential for their better roles.
Entities:
Keywords:
Malaria control; Myanmar; roles; village health volunteer
Authors: Adaoha Pearl Agu; Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo; Nelson Chibueze Eze; Christian Obasi Akpa; Richard Chukwuka Nnabu; Ifeyinwa Chizoba Akamike; Ijeoma Nina Okedo-Alex; Chihurumnanya Alo; Jesse Chigozie Uneke Journal: Pan Afr Med J Date: 2021-06-28