Controlling malaria in Africa : progress and priorities

Part One of this report reviews the component"s accomplishments in the areas of leadership and policy development; disease, health, and drug research; disease surveillance; health information systems; health training and supervision; education for health program planning and management; and drug logistics and supply. A lessons learned section notes particular success in improving malaria management and prevention through the use of health education, including posters, especially for women with no formal education; pre-service and inservice training programs for health facilities workers; and intermittent, clinic-based chemoprophylaxis for pregnant women for malaria management and prevention. Despite its overall success, some of the component"s goals were unmet, primarily due to poor parasite response to the most widely available antimalarial drug; ineffective disease management in health facilities and homes due to limited drug availability, improper dosage regimens, and unclear instructions for treatment follow-up; and the inability of the public health sector to keep pace with the disease"s rapid spread through burgeoning cities. Priorities for malaria control for the next decade are reviewed. Part Two outlines activities undertaken in the 12 participating, malaria-endemic countries of Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d"Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Swaziland, Togo, and Zaire. Includes numerous references, 23 figures, and 4 tables.