Health education for community-based malaria control: an intervention study in Ecuador, Colombia and Nicaragua.

A malaria study was undertaken in 98 rural communities of the Pacific coast of Ecuador (n = 14), Colombia (n = 22) and Nicaragua (n = 62). In-depth interviews on people's knowledge and practice regarding malaria aetiology, symptoms and treatment were conducted and complemented by formal household interviews. On the basis of this information, an educational programme was set up which included the training of village health promoters and community workshops organized by the health workers and used a set of methods of interactive learning. After the baseline survey the communities were paired and randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. Malaria education took place only in the intervention communities. At the start of the project people's knowledge about malaria-transmitting mosquitoes and malaria symptoms was correct and widespread in those areas where the community exposure to formal health services was pronounced. However, knowledge of the recommended dose of chloroquine was poor everywhere, and self-treatment of malaria episodes deficient. The educational intervention achieved a high level of participant satisfaction which was expressed in a high and continuous attendance rate at the monthly workshops. The knowledge of malaria aetiology and symptoms was 33-61% better in the intervention group than in the control group. Knowledge of the recommended doses of chloroquine increased significantly (34% in Ecuador, 93% in Colombia but not in Nicaragua) and correct use of chloroquine in the treatment of malaria episodes also improved (26% in Ecuador, 85% in Colombia). In Nicaragua the results were less satisfactory due to the short period of promotional activities and the health services' policy of delivering only supervised treatment to the population. It is concluded that health education should play a major role in malaria control.