Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Vietnam has successfully reduced malaria incidence by more than 90% over the past 10 years, and is now preparing for malaria elimination. However, the remaining malaria burden resides in individuals that are hardest to reach, in highly remote areas, where many malaria cases are t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2060-0 |
| _version_ | 1819007112445952000 |
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| author | Ingrid Chen Huong Ngo Thi Thanh Andrew Lover Phung Thi Thao Tang Viet Luu Hoang Nghia Thang Ngo Duc Thang Josselyn Neukom Adam Bennett |
| author_facet | Ingrid Chen Huong Ngo Thi Thanh Andrew Lover Phung Thi Thao Tang Viet Luu Hoang Nghia Thang Ngo Duc Thang Josselyn Neukom Adam Bennett |
| author_sort | Ingrid Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Vietnam has successfully reduced malaria incidence by more than 90% over the past 10 years, and is now preparing for malaria elimination. However, the remaining malaria burden resides in individuals that are hardest to reach, in highly remote areas, where many malaria cases are treated through the informal private sector and are not reported to public health systems. This qualitative study aimed to contextualize and characterize the role of private providers, care-seeking behaviour of individuals at high risk of malaria, as well as risk factors that should be addressed through malaria elimination programmes in Vietnam. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 key informants in Hanoi, 30 providers, 9 potential patients, and 11 individuals at risk of malaria in Binh Phuoc and Kon Tum provinces. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed and uploaded to Atlas TI™, themes were identified, from which programmatic implications and recommendations were synthesized. Results Qualitative interviews revealed that efforts for malaria elimination in Vietnam should concentrate on reaching highest-risk populations in remote areas as well their care providers, in particular private pharmacies, private clinics, and grocery stores. Among these private providers, diagnosis is currently based on symptoms, leaving unconfirmed cases that are not reported to public health surveillance systems. Among at-risk individuals, knowledge of malaria was limited, and individuals reported not taking full courses of treatment, a practice that threatens selection for drug resistance. Access to insecticide-treated hammock nets, a potentially important preventive measure for settings with outdoor biting Anopheles vectors, was also limited. Conclusions Malaria elimination efforts in Vietnam can be accelerated by targeting improved treatment, diagnosis, and reporting practices to private pharmacies, private clinics, and grocery stores. Programmes should also seek to increase awareness and understanding of malaria among at-risk populations, in particular the importance of using preventive measures and adhering to complete courses of anti-malarial medicines. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:19:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e35648c6619c400c93fff529626f73ad |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:19:24Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-e35648c6619c400c93fff529626f73ad2022-12-21T19:22:08ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752017-10-0116111410.1186/s12936-017-2060-0Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative studyIngrid Chen0Huong Ngo Thi Thanh1Andrew Lover2Phung Thi Thao3Tang Viet Luu4Hoang Nghia Thang5Ngo Duc Thang6Josselyn Neukom7Adam Bennett8Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California, San FranciscoPopulation Services International VietnamMalaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California, San FranciscoPopulation Services International VietnamPopulation Services International VietnamPopulation Services International VietnamNational Institute of Malaria, Parasitology, and Entomology (NIMPE), VietnamPopulation Services International VietnamMalaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California, San FranciscoAbstract Background Vietnam has successfully reduced malaria incidence by more than 90% over the past 10 years, and is now preparing for malaria elimination. However, the remaining malaria burden resides in individuals that are hardest to reach, in highly remote areas, where many malaria cases are treated through the informal private sector and are not reported to public health systems. This qualitative study aimed to contextualize and characterize the role of private providers, care-seeking behaviour of individuals at high risk of malaria, as well as risk factors that should be addressed through malaria elimination programmes in Vietnam. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 key informants in Hanoi, 30 providers, 9 potential patients, and 11 individuals at risk of malaria in Binh Phuoc and Kon Tum provinces. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed and uploaded to Atlas TI™, themes were identified, from which programmatic implications and recommendations were synthesized. Results Qualitative interviews revealed that efforts for malaria elimination in Vietnam should concentrate on reaching highest-risk populations in remote areas as well their care providers, in particular private pharmacies, private clinics, and grocery stores. Among these private providers, diagnosis is currently based on symptoms, leaving unconfirmed cases that are not reported to public health surveillance systems. Among at-risk individuals, knowledge of malaria was limited, and individuals reported not taking full courses of treatment, a practice that threatens selection for drug resistance. Access to insecticide-treated hammock nets, a potentially important preventive measure for settings with outdoor biting Anopheles vectors, was also limited. Conclusions Malaria elimination efforts in Vietnam can be accelerated by targeting improved treatment, diagnosis, and reporting practices to private pharmacies, private clinics, and grocery stores. Programmes should also seek to increase awareness and understanding of malaria among at-risk populations, in particular the importance of using preventive measures and adhering to complete courses of anti-malarial medicines.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2060-0VietnamMalariaCare-seeking behaviorPrivate sectorHigh-risk populationMigrant and mobile populations |
| spellingShingle | Ingrid Chen Huong Ngo Thi Thanh Andrew Lover Phung Thi Thao Tang Viet Luu Hoang Nghia Thang Ngo Duc Thang Josselyn Neukom Adam Bennett Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study Malaria Journal Vietnam Malaria Care-seeking behavior Private sector High-risk population Migrant and mobile populations |
| title | Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Malaria risk factors and care-seeking behaviour within the private sector among high-risk populations in Vietnam: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | malaria risk factors and care seeking behaviour within the private sector among high risk populations in vietnam a qualitative study |
| topic | Vietnam Malaria Care-seeking behavior Private sector High-risk population Migrant and mobile populations |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-017-2060-0 |
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