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Browsing Protocols by Author "Kayira, Lusungu"

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    Exploring factors shaping outdoor individual’s exposure to malaria vectors in Malawi: Chikwawa District
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-11-09) Kayira, Lusungu
    Type of research: This is an explorative qualitative study aiming at at understanding about how people living in the Chikwawa district are exposed to malaria vectors. Focusing on the way of life of the study participants to learn how the environment they live in shapes their vulnerability to malaria transmission. The problem: Despite the nationwide distribution of ITNs in Malawi, Malawi remains endemic to malaria, with districts such a Chikwawa still registering high numbers of malaria cases[1]. Most research informing vector control interventions are based on entomological aspects and forgo the social aspects in which individuals live, exposing them to malaria transmission. Study objective: This study proposes to explore factors shaping outdoor exposure to malaria transmission and who are vulnerable based on the settings of the environment they live in during conventional mosquito biting times of 6 pm to 6 am. Methodology: This will be a qualitative study. Data will be collected on the activities that may result in a higher risk of exposure to malaria vector bites through participant observation and engaging with prospective research participants on a daily basis. Some of the domains I hope to explore with this approach are work patterns, intra-household allocation of bednets, and social activities (e.g. religious events). Interviews and focus group discussions will be used to learn about individuals' and caregivers' understanding of malaria transmission and perception of bednet use. Using the concept of structural vulnerability and the socio-ecological model, this study will explore outdoor factors which expose individuals to malaria vectors during conventional mosquito biting times in Domasi village, Chikwawa district Sample size: The highly qualitative nature of the study, which relies on convenience and purposive sampling, lends itself to sample size estimates better than to exact indicators, as it is difficult to foresee precisely how many individuals will be present in the study communities at any point throughout the study. However, I estimate that I will include up to 100 individuals for participant observations, 15-20 people for IDIs and up to 32 individuals for FGDs. to 100 participants will be included in the participant observation exercise; between 15-20 participants for in-depth-interviews (IDIs), between 24 and 32 for focus group discussions (FGDs) (to be divided into 4-6 groups) Data management and analysis: Field notes will be written throughout the fieldwork and will, with the participants' permission, record audio files during IDIs and FGDs. Data will be transcribed uploaded on a password-protected folder. Inductive content analysis will be employed for the data. Expected results and dissemination: The results from this study are expected to fill the gap on knowledge of the relationship between the environment in which bed-net users live and malaria transmission. The results will be disseminated with: (1) KUHeS; (2) the host communities; (3) the College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC), including participation to the Research Committee Dissemination Day; (5) the funders -PIIVeC partners; and (6) in academic venues, such as journals and conferences.