| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 58
| Issue : 3 | Page : 206-212 |
|
|
Community sensitization to improve acceptability of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in Mewat district of Haryana, India: A community-based interventional study
Pawan Kumar Goel1, Arun Kumar1, Manju Rahi2, PL Joshi3, VP Maheshwari4
1 Department of Community Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Govt Medical College Nalhar, Mewat, Haryana, India
2 General Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
3 National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, India
4 Health Department, HQ at Mandikhera, District Mewat Haryana, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Arun Kumar
Department of Community Medicine, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Govt Medical College Nalhar, Mewat, Haryana
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.318319
|
|
|
Background & objectives: Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is an important part of malaria prevention and control strategies for villages with annual parasitic incidence (API) of more than 5, or other criteria by National Program of the country. At the time of conception of the study, i.e., in 2012, district Mewat in Haryana state, India was malaria endemic including 35 malaria high risk villages with API more than 5. The current study aimed to improve acceptability of IRS among the residents of Mewat district.
Methods: This was a community based interventional study. Out of the 14 sub-centers, there were 12 sub-centers catering the population of 79 villages, out of which 35 villages had API of more than five, and hence, fulfilled the criteria for regular IRS. Considering sub-center as the unit of randomization, out of all the 12 sub-centers which cater population of villages with API > 5, equal number of the sub-centers matched according to the population size of those villages were assigned to the intervention and non-intervention (control) groups by randomization using lottery technique. The intervention comprised community sensitization through community meetings, wall paintings and distribution of pamphlets. Baseline and post intervention acceptability of IRS was measured and compared.
Results: There was 21.7% (95% CI 16.12 to 27.15) increase in intention to accept IRS as per guidelines, and 15.2% (95% CI 9.50 to 20.80) increase in the actual acceptance of IRS in intervention group of villages in Mewat district.
Interpretation & conclusion: The intervention can bring about significant increase in the acceptability of IRS which is an important component of malaria control under national programme in district Mewat, Haryana, India. |
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
