Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda, Cameroon.
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2022 Oct 13;17(10):e0275976. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275976. eCollection 2022.
Mass test, treat and track (MTTT) of malaria is ongoing in the Pakro sub district of Ghana. In the delivery of MTTT of malaria, community health volunteers are trained to routinely provide this service through a door-to-door strategy. Following the report of the first cases of COVID-19 in Ghana, we conducted this study to explore the effects of the pandemic on the implementation of the MTTT of malaria intervention.
Using qualitative methodology, we conducted ten focus groups discussions (FGDs) in eight communities: eight with community members (N = 49); one with health workers (N = 6), and one with MTTT of malaria volunteers. In addition, two in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, one with health worker and another with a health manager. All interviews were recorded, translated into English during transcription and analysed using QSR NVivo 12. Thematic content analysis was used in this study.
The findings of the study showed an increase in the number of people reporting with complications of malaria in health facilities in the study communities during the COVID-19 period. Some participants were of the view that COVID-19 rumours and misinformation could largely be responsible for the low coverage and uptake of the MTTT of malaria intervention. To sustain the uptake of the MTTT intervention, community engagement strategies were employed to identify and respond to these rumours. Also, incentive schemes were introduced to encourage parents and children to participate in the MTTT intervention during this period of COVID-19.
Findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the provision and uptake of malaria prevention and treatment services, especially the MTTT of malaria being implemented at the community level. These observations underscore the need to find innovative ways to address the challenges encountered in providing essential services during public health emergencies.
加纳 Pakro 分区正在进行大规模检测、治疗和追踪（MTTT）疟疾项目。在疟疾 MTTT 的实施过程中，社区卫生志愿者接受了常规提供这项服务的培训，采用逐户策略。在加纳报告首例 COVID-19 病例后，我们开展了这项研究，旨在探讨大流行对疟疾 MTTT 干预措施实施的影响。
我们采用定性方法，在八个社区开展了十次焦点小组讨论（FGD）：八次与社区成员（N=49）；一次与卫生工作者（N=6），一次与疟疾 MTTT 志愿者。此外，还进行了两次深入访谈（IDI），一次与卫生工作者，另一次与卫生经理。所有访谈均进行了录音，在转录过程中翻译成英语，并使用 QSR NVivo 12 进行分析。本研究采用主题内容分析法。
研究结果显示，在 COVID-19 期间，研究社区卫生机构报告的疟疾并发症人数有所增加。一些参与者认为，COVID-19 谣言和错误信息可能是导致疟疾 MTTT 干预措施覆盖率和参与度低的主要原因。为了维持 MTTT 干预措施的接受度，采用了社区参与策略来识别和应对这些谣言。此外，还引入了激励计划，以鼓励父母和孩子在 COVID-19 期间参与 MTTT 干预。
研究结果表明，COVID-19 大流行对疟疾预防和治疗服务的提供和接受产生了不利影响，特别是在社区层面实施的疟疾 MTTT。这些观察结果强调需要寻找创新方法来应对在突发公共卫生事件期间提供基本服务所面临的挑战。
