School of Nursing & Public Health

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Browsing School of Nursing & Public Health by Advisor "Lukolo, Linda"

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    An investigation of challenges that impede the elimination of malaria in Andara district, Kavango east region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Kauejao, Shereen; Lukolo, Linda
    This study was conducted to identify challenges that impede the elimination of malaria in Andara District, Kavango East Region, Namibia, so that efforts may be put to address such. Interventions which have been put in place include universal large-scale deployment of indoor residual spraying, distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and treating with artemisinin-based combination therapy and many others. However, cases of malaria morbidity and mortality in Andara District persisted. So, this research explored deeper the major challenges faced by the communities in trying to control this endemic disease in Andara District, Kavango region. This study used a mixed research design, meaning that both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study to sufficiently capture the trends and details of the malaria situation in Andara District. Stratified random sampling method was used to collect 360 respondents from the population. A self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The study found that factors that impede malaria elimination in Andara District include limited research on traditional malaria prevention methods, uncontrolled cross border migration, favorable environmental conditions, good climatic conditions, resistance of mosquitos to insecticides and poor surveillance of malaria transmission hotspots. The study also found that some barriers to mosquito control and prevention in Andara District include the resistance of mosquitos to insecticides, shortage of nets and sprays and shortage of healthcare workers. In light of these findings, it was recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Services should conduct surveillance to collect, analyze, and interpret data related to malaria. The information gathered should be used to inform the planning, implementation monitoring and evaluation of malaria cases and fatalities. Surveillance may also help the country to track evolving trends in malaria-related illnesses. It has also been recommended that the government of Namibia should implement different interventions such as mass drug administration, mass testing and treatment and mass relapse prevention in order to reduce malaria transmission. The government should also implement targeted testing and treatment, routine testing and treatment at points of entry and testing and treatment of people coming to or returning from Andara District. Moreover, since this study was limited to the Andara District, it has been recommended that further studies should be carried out in all fourteen regions of Namibia in order to obtain findings that may be applied to the entire country