KNOWLEDGE OF KEY PLAYERS ON VECTOR CONTROL AT INDONESIA’S COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN MALARIA ELIMINATION PHASE AREAS

Abstract

Malaria and epidemiological investigation surveys are important aspects that must be understood by key players in the malaria program. A good understanding of these two aspects will strengthen efforts to control the risk factors for malaria in supporting the implementation of the main malaria elimination strategy. This exploratory qualitative study sought to observe the knowledge relating to epidemiological investigation and malaria vector surveys of the key players in the malaria program at the community health centers in Garut and Sukabumi Regencies, Indonesia. The informants in this study were the heads of the health centers, the managers of the malaria program, and the village malaria cadres who were involved in the vector control process in 2018 and 2019 at the selected health centers. Data collection was carried out using open questionnaires and in-depth interviews; such data were analyzed using deductive coding approach. Most of the answers given by the informants were different and not in line with the explanations in the national malaria control manual. The informants were weak in the knowledge of malaria vector control, vector surveys and epidemiological investigation. The program managers’ understanding about malaria control is of low similarity when compared to the national malaria control manual.