malaria

Background:
Taking the lives of more than one million people each year, malaria is an epidemic largely affecting people in sub-Saharan Africa.   The children, adults, and elderly of Uganda are among those suffering from the disease.  According to the Ministry of Health of Uganda, malaria “currently poses the most significant threat to the health of the population.”   Between twenty-five and forty percent of outpatient visits at health facilities in the country are for malaria.   For Ugandan children, malaria is the primary cause of death.   With high prevalence and great severity, the prevention of malaria is of extreme importance in Uganda.

Rural Malaria Prevention
During 2007, the Uganda Village Project (UVP) implemented a Malaria Prevention Project in the Kalalu Parish, a very rural area of Iganga District. This site was chosen due to a motivated group of community members who had brought the attention of UVP staff to the crushing burden of malarial disease in the Kalalu area. UVP responded to the community through the following process: (1) presentation of information and statistics on malaria, its symptoms, its prevention, and its treatment; (2) distribution of one thousand insecticide-treated nets at highly subsidized, affordable prices; (3) testing for malaria of four hundred and seventy-four residents; (4) treatment of those who tested positive; and (5) follow-up in homes with selected community members to ensure proper usage of nets and to continue discussion of prevention strategies.

A mind-blowing 56% of those randomly tested were found to be positive for malaria infection. This includes 78% of children ages 0-5 who were tested! Our survey confirmed the concerns of the villagers - that they truly were suffering a crisis in regards to malaria. We plan to continue to work with Kalalu parish in the coming years to continue with net distribution and with raising awareness about malaria prevention.

For more information and details about this project, please contact us at info@ugandavillageproject.org for a report.