Malaria and HIV/AIDS Initiative
The RAPIDS consortium recognizes that malaria is a significant public health crisis in Zambia and one that affects households throughout the country. And while it is true that malaria is a disease that impacts the entire society, it has been found to be a higher burden on vulnerable populations, including children under five years, pregnant women, orphans and vulnerable children and people living with HIV & AIDS. Furthermore, people living with HIV & AIDS are at increased risk of clinical malaria, and the dual infection with malaria and HIV fuels the spread of both diseases in Zambia and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2007, RAPIDS assembled a public-private partnership between Zambia’s National Malaria Control Centre, the USG President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Global Business Coalition Against HIV, TB and Malaria to purchase and distribute almost 500,000 long lasting insecticidal nets (ITNs). The aim of this partnership has been to mitigate the impact of malaria on those living with, and affected by, HIV & AIDS.
In a region where malaria is a constant threat, ITNs can be used to protect users from being bitten by mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite. These mosquitoes, which are active at night, are repelled and eventually killed by the insecticide in the nets. ITNs are currently the most cost-effective and accessible means of malaria prevention in Zambia. RAPIDS caregivers have joined to distribute ITNs directly to over 169,000 households made vulnerable by HIV & AIDS. The nets benefit 60 of Zambia's 72 districts and have helped to protect almost one million people from a disease that is the number one causes of death in children and a major cause of morbidity in adults.
In addition to distributing ITNs, RAPIDS caregivers undergo training to better understand and communicate malaria prevention, response, diagnosis and treatment messages to their clients. This education is done in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Health. Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials are also made available to support Behaviour Change & Communication (BCC) activities aimed at increasing awareness about malaria. A recently completed survey has shown that these activities, in combination with distribution of free ITNs has resulted in net utilizations rates of 75% by RAPIDS clients.
In 2007, RAPIDS assembled a public-private partnership between Zambia’s National Malaria Control Centre, the USG President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Global Business Coalition Against HIV, TB and Malaria to purchase and distribute almost 500,000 long lasting insecticidal nets (ITNs). The aim of this partnership has been to mitigate the impact of malaria on those living with, and affected by, HIV & AIDS.
In a region where malaria is a constant threat, ITNs can be used to protect users from being bitten by mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite. These mosquitoes, which are active at night, are repelled and eventually killed by the insecticide in the nets. ITNs are currently the most cost-effective and accessible means of malaria prevention in Zambia. RAPIDS caregivers have joined to distribute ITNs directly to over 169,000 households made vulnerable by HIV & AIDS. The nets benefit 60 of Zambia's 72 districts and have helped to protect almost one million people from a disease that is the number one causes of death in children and a major cause of morbidity in adults.
In addition to distributing ITNs, RAPIDS caregivers undergo training to better understand and communicate malaria prevention, response, diagnosis and treatment messages to their clients. This education is done in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Health. Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials are also made available to support Behaviour Change & Communication (BCC) activities aimed at increasing awareness about malaria. A recently completed survey has shown that these activities, in combination with distribution of free ITNs has resulted in net utilizations rates of 75% by RAPIDS clients.
As the Zambian Ministry of Health seeks to expand and improve its response to malaria, RAPIDS has assisted by donating Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), which are ready-to-use testing kits that help identify malaria infections in places where microscopy is not available. RDTs are increasingly used in community settings to help identify malaria infections so that fast and effective treatment can be sought. RAPIDS has also sought partnerships with local centres of excellence for malaria treatment and research in order to assist in the improvement of treatment and care throughout Zambia.
For more information on our Malaria program, please contact Meg Tremblay.
