Utilisation and Delivery of Healthcare Services as Factors in Malaria Control in Kolar: A Community- Based Study

Naresh Kumar S J; B G  Ranganath

Naresh Kumar S J Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education & Research Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
B G Ranganath Professor & HoD, Department of Community Medicine Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences, Chittor, Andhra Pradesh, India. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202329

Keywords: Malaria, Knowledge, Healthcare Delivery, Utilisation

Abstract

Introduction: The healthcare-seeking behaviour of the people and health service delivery in rural Kolar fluctuate with malaria endemicity. This study in Mulbagal Taluk of Kolar district was undertaken to know
the healthcare utilisation and delivery as factors in malaria prevention
and control.
Methodology: Two villages were chosen at random from each of the two PHC regions in Mulbagal Taluk. PHC regions were classified based on the yearly parasite incidence being greater than two (API > 2) and
less than two (API < 2) in the previous five years. The awareness and practices on malaria and its prevention, as well as healthcare delivery and use in these regions, were acquired by a household survey.
Results: Around 80.6% and 83.0% of the households could be surveyed in the Devarayasamudra PHC and Nangli PHC areas, respectively. The Devarayasamudra PHC region (69.2%) had a greater understanding
of malaria transmission from person to person than the Nangli area (26.2%). Around 65 fever cases were identified in these four villages. In regard to the fortnight visit for the fever survey, the healthcare personnel visited more households in the Devarayasamudra PHC area (48.5%) than in the Nangli PHC area (27.5%).
Conclusion: The better awareness on malaria was mainly due to good healthcare delivery services at Devarayasamudra PHC as it was an endemic zone for malaria. Despite the fact that the majority of participants were utilising one or more preventive measures, it was seen that the use of bed nets must be widespread in order to reduce malaria.

How to cite this article:
Naresh SJN, Ranganath BG. Utilisation and Delivery of Healthcare Services as Factors in Malaria Control in Kolar: A Community-based Study. J Commun Dis. 2023;55(3):1-6.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202329

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