A current intervention in the Congo is to provide ITNs to it's people but less than 10% of resources are used on ITNs meaning the presence of ITNs is very little. Even the World Health Organization says that "In most high-burden countries, ITN coverage is still below agreed targets." I would like to have even more ITNs provided than is currently provided. Currently, over 50% of materials are used on insecticides and spray materials. I propose that half of the resources used on insecticides and spray materials be moved to buy and give out ITNs.
Implementation
Contact producers of Long Lasting ITNs and make a deal with them to buy ITNs in bulk for a very small price. After communicating our cause to the Congolese people, spread out all over the Congo and take with us as many ITNs as needed (from what we know of the population) and distribute them to as many families as we can reach. We will also provide easy to understand pamphlets explaining how to properly use the ITNs (such as not sharing one between communities, etc.) and how to maintain them.
Barriers to implementation are getting the Congolese people to trust in our cause and follow our instructions on use and maintenance of the ITNs. Another barrier is in getting the government to lessen resources in one area of their intervention and move it to fund our intervention.
Communication
Contact various stakeholders and explain out intervention to them. We will also explain the purpose of our intervention and how effective we predict our intervention will be.
Use telephones, the television, radio broadcast stations and the internet to reach those we can and inform them of the intervention and of the places we will be giving out ITNs. For those we couldn't reach electronically, we will create easy to understand posters (made up of words and mostly pictures of illiterate people) to hang in various high risk communities.
Evaluation
Desired Outcomes
- A decrease in the number of Malaria cases.
- A decrease in the number of deaths caused by Malaria.
- Greater awareness of the effectiveness of ITNs in preventing Malaria.
- Congolese people approaching us for free ITNs.
Process Measures
- How many ITNs are bought.
- How many ITNs are distributed.
- What percentage of the population has ITNs.
- How many Congolese people know about the free ITNs and the purpose of our intervention.
Outcome Measure
- If the percentage of resources used for ITNs has increased and the percentage for insecticides and spray materials has decreased.
- Most if not all of the desired outcomes are fulfilled.
References
"WHO Global Malaria Programme: Position
Statement on ITNs." World Health Organization. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/itnspospaperfinal.pdf>.
Again, I like how easy the blog was to follow because of how organized it is. I think your action plan is a good idea. I think this could be very effective in the long run. My only question is that concerning the costs of the ITNs bought in bulk. It may be harder than expected to carry out this plan if costs are high, especially in countries that can't afford this.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, this is a great idea. Nice work!
Focusing on prevention - i.e buying ITNs is a practical idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd the idea you propose on getting them in bulk may be practical.
One thing to consider though is the population you are distributing the ITNs to. Most of them probably do not know how to read so providing pamphlets for them to read regarding use of ITNs may not be widely applicable.
You may think of showing the rural uneducated people how to use the ITNs at local campaigns or focus groups.
How would you address the barriers to the implementation strategy?
The communication media you mention are good examples. Consider how you would actually use these different media.
Using tv for example to highlight stories of real people whose lives have been affected by malaria - either through loss of a child or complications for example.
Do you mean posters of illiterate people or posters for illiterate people?
Consider using local community leaders/programs to reach out to communities as well. People may be more inclined to listen to an outsider if their local leader supports the idea.
Depending on what you decided as your final problem definition, your outcome measure may be:
- Decreased cases of malaria
- Decreased mortality due to malaria