Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021
Abstract Background Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a common vector control strategy in countries with high malaria burden. Historically, social norms have prevented women from working in IRS programmes. The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has actively sought to reduce gender inequality i...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04755-4 |
| _version_ | 1797453824052428800 |
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| author | Kylie R. DeBoer Liberato Motobe Vaz Teresa Ayingono Ondo Mfumu Jose Antonio Mba Nlang Lucas Ondo Matilde Riloha Rivas Sandra Incardona John Pollock Michael E. von Fricken Jeremías Nzamio Mba Eyono Olivier T. Donfack Carlos A. Guerra Guillermo A. García |
| author_facet | Kylie R. DeBoer Liberato Motobe Vaz Teresa Ayingono Ondo Mfumu Jose Antonio Mba Nlang Lucas Ondo Matilde Riloha Rivas Sandra Incardona John Pollock Michael E. von Fricken Jeremías Nzamio Mba Eyono Olivier T. Donfack Carlos A. Guerra Guillermo A. García |
| author_sort | Kylie R. DeBoer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a common vector control strategy in countries with high malaria burden. Historically, social norms have prevented women from working in IRS programmes. The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has actively sought to reduce gender inequality in malaria control operations for many years by promoting women’s participation in IRS. Methods This study investigated the progress of female engagement and compared spray productivity by gender from 2010 to 2021, using inferential tests and multivariable regression. Spray productivity was measured by rooms sprayed by spray operator per day (RSOD), houses sprayed by spray operator per day (HSOD), and the daily productivity ratio (DPR), defined as the ratio of RSOD to HSOD, which standardized productivity by house size. Results The percentage of women participating in IRS has increased over time. The difference in DPR comparing male and female spray operators was only statistically significant (p < 0.05) for two rounds, where the value was higher for women compared to men. Regression analyses showed marginal, significant differences in DPR between men and women, but beta coefficients were extremely small and thus not indicative of a measurable effect of gender on operational performance. Conclusions The quantitative analyses of spray productivity are counter to stigmatizing beliefs that women are less capable than male counterparts during IRS spray rounds. The findings from this research support the participation of women in IRS campaigns, and a renewed effort to implement equitable policies and practices that intentionally engage women in vector control activities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:28:26Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:28:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fe8b970921645f592afa95bdbf71f5b2023-11-26T12:24:17ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752023-10-0122111110.1186/s12936-023-04755-4Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021Kylie R. DeBoer0Liberato Motobe Vaz1Teresa Ayingono Ondo Mfumu2Jose Antonio Mba Nlang3Lucas Ondo4Matilde Riloha Rivas5Sandra Incardona6John Pollock7Michael E. von Fricken8Jeremías Nzamio Mba Eyono9Olivier T. Donfack10Carlos A. Guerra11Guillermo A. García12MCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMinistry of Health and Social Welfare, National Malaria Control ProgrammeMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, University of FloridaMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthMCD Global HealthAbstract Background Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is a common vector control strategy in countries with high malaria burden. Historically, social norms have prevented women from working in IRS programmes. The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project has actively sought to reduce gender inequality in malaria control operations for many years by promoting women’s participation in IRS. Methods This study investigated the progress of female engagement and compared spray productivity by gender from 2010 to 2021, using inferential tests and multivariable regression. Spray productivity was measured by rooms sprayed by spray operator per day (RSOD), houses sprayed by spray operator per day (HSOD), and the daily productivity ratio (DPR), defined as the ratio of RSOD to HSOD, which standardized productivity by house size. Results The percentage of women participating in IRS has increased over time. The difference in DPR comparing male and female spray operators was only statistically significant (p < 0.05) for two rounds, where the value was higher for women compared to men. Regression analyses showed marginal, significant differences in DPR between men and women, but beta coefficients were extremely small and thus not indicative of a measurable effect of gender on operational performance. Conclusions The quantitative analyses of spray productivity are counter to stigmatizing beliefs that women are less capable than male counterparts during IRS spray rounds. The findings from this research support the participation of women in IRS campaigns, and a renewed effort to implement equitable policies and practices that intentionally engage women in vector control activities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04755-4Gender equityGender equalityIndoor Residual Spraying (IRS)MalariaVector controlEquatorial Guinea (Bioko) |
| spellingShingle | Kylie R. DeBoer Liberato Motobe Vaz Teresa Ayingono Ondo Mfumu Jose Antonio Mba Nlang Lucas Ondo Matilde Riloha Rivas Sandra Incardona John Pollock Michael E. von Fricken Jeremías Nzamio Mba Eyono Olivier T. Donfack Carlos A. Guerra Guillermo A. García Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 Malaria Journal Gender equity Gender equality Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Malaria Vector control Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) |
| title | Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 |
| title_full | Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 |
| title_fullStr | Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 |
| title_short | Assessing IRS performance in a gender-integrated vector control programme on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, 2010–2021 |
| title_sort | assessing irs performance in a gender integrated vector control programme on bioko island equatorial guinea 2010 2021 |
| topic | Gender equity Gender equality Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Malaria Vector control Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04755-4 |
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