Table 3.
Comparisons in strategies, achievements and challenges between historical and contemporary vector control efforts
Attribute | Historical | Contemporary |
---|---|---|
Strategies |
LSM (simple EM and Larviciding) as main thrust interventions and IRS as supplementary. |
Primarily based on IRS and ITNs as frontline tools, supplemented with LSM |
Targeted vector control interventions confined to urban areas with limited political will. |
Nationwide universal coverage with vector control tools deployed in both rural and urban areas with enhanced political commitment. |
|
Implementation by full time public health workers from the Mines, MoH and Local authorities. |
Evidence based implementation by community based resource persons. |
|
Achievements |
High coverage of interventions reducing malaria disease to a notifiable level in operational settings |
Strong inter-sectoral collaboration between private and public sector with appreciable impact on the disease in both rural and urban areas |
Monitored species composition, their relative densities and sporozoite rates in vector populations |
Robust entomological monitoring of impact with a rational insecticide resistance management strategy |
|
Full commitment by municipalities with enhanced with the enforcement of strong statutory instruments |
Strong monitoring & evaluation and IEC. Geo-coding of structures, efforts to determine the impact of interventions on vectors |
|
Challenges | Confined to urban areas, lack of advocacy and social mobilization. |
Lack of utilization of ITNs and abuse. Lack advocacy on supplementary interventions resulting in limitation in their funding. |
Weak and limited environmental and personal safeguards |
Increased population, coordination at provincial and district levels |
|
Limited entomological monitoring including impact of interventions on vectors | Limited enforcement of statutory instruments, lack of total commitment by municipalities. |