Browsing by Author "Lesser, A"

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    A Randomized Longitudinal Factorial Design to Assess Malaria Vector Control and Disease Management Interventions in Rural Tanzania
    (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2014-05-16) Kramer, Randall A; Mboera, LEG; Senkoro, K; Lesser, A; Shayo, EH; Paul, CJ; Miranda, Marie Lynn
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    Community Knowledge and Acceptance of Larviciding for Malaria Control in a Rural District of East-Central Tanzania
    (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2014) Mboera, L.E.G.; Kramer, R.A.; Miranda, M.L.; Kilima, S.P.; Shayo, E.H.; Lesser, A
    The use of microbial larvicides, a form of larval source management, is a less commonly used malaria control intervention that nonetheless has significant potential as a component of an integrated vector management strategy. We evaluated community acceptability of larviciding in a rural district in east-central Tanzania using data from 962 household surveys, 12 focus group discussions, and 24 in-depth interviews. Most survey respondents trusted in the safety (73.1%) and efficacy of larviciding, both with regards to mosquito control (92.3%) and to reduce malaria infection risk (91.9%). Probing these perceptions using a Likert scale provides a more detailed picture. Focus group participants and key informants were also receptive to larviciding, but stressed the importance of sensitization before its implementation. Overall, 73.4% of survey respondents expressed a willingness to make a nominal household contribution to a larviciding program, a proportion which decreased as the proposed contribution increased. The lower-bound mean willingness to pay is estimated at 2,934 Tanzanian Shillings (approximately US$1.76) per three month period. We present a multivariate probit regression analysis examining factors associated with willingness to pay. Overall, our findings point to a receptive environment in a rural setting in Tanzania for the use of microbial larvicides in malaria control. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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    Correction: Kramer, R.a., et Al. A randomized longitudinal factorial design to assess malaria vector control and disease management interventions in rural Tanzania. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public health 2014, 11, 5317-5332.
    (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2014) Kramer, RA; Mboera, LE; Senkoro, K; Lesser, A; Shayo, EH; Paul, CJ; Miranda, ML
    The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [1]:[...].
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    Factors influencing malaria control policy-making in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
    (Malar J, 2014-08-08) Mutero, CM; Kramer, RA; Paul, C.; Lesser, A; Miranda, ML; Mboera, LEG; Kiptui, R; Kabatereine, N; Ameneshewa, B
    BACKGROUND: Policy decisions for malaria control are often difficult to make as decision-makers have to carefully consider an array of options and respond to the needs of a large number of stakeholders. This study assessed the factors and specific objectives that influence malaria control policy decisions, as a crucial first step towards developing an inclusive malaria decision analysis support tool (MDAST). METHODS: Country-specific stakeholder engagement activities using structured questionnaires were carried out in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The survey respondents were drawn from a non-random purposeful sample of stakeholders, targeting individuals in ministries and non-governmental organizations whose policy decisions and actions are likely to have an impact on the status of malaria. Summary statistics across the three countries are presented in aggregate. RESULTS: Important findings aggregated across countries included a belief that donor preferences and agendas were exerting too much influence on malaria policies in the countries. Respondents on average also thought that some relevant objectives such as engaging members of parliament by the agency responsible for malaria control in a particular country were not being given enough consideration in malaria decision-making. Factors found to influence decisions regarding specific malaria control strategies included donor agendas, costs, effectiveness of interventions, health and environmental impacts, compliance and/acceptance, financial sustainability, and vector resistance to insecticides. CONCLUSION: Malaria control decision-makers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania take into account health and environmental impacts as well as cost implications of different intervention strategies. Further engagement of government legislators and other policy makers is needed in order to increase funding from domestic sources, reduce donor dependence, sustain interventions and consolidate current gains in malaria.