Drive Against Malaria

Project Brief:

According to a study the WHO carried out in 2007 together with several universities, severe environmental changes are causing a substantial rise in malaria in the coastal region of southwestern Cameroon. In 2008, 'Drive Against Malaria' will focus on preventing malaria in these regions by distributing thousands of LLINs (long-lasting insecticidal nets).

Malaria infections
Malaria is the biggest health problem in Cameroon and the main cause of death. Of the total number of health consultations, 40 to 50% are diagnosed as malaria infections. This means 900,000 malaria infections a year. In the bigger hospitals, 30% of the patients are suffering from malaria. Severe environmental changes in the coastal region of southwestern Cameroon are causing an alarming increase in malaria.

Deaths
RSome 40% of the deaths are children under the age of five. Babies and young children are hit the hardest. And yet less than 1% of children in this group sleep under an impregnated mosquito net. Malaria causes 35 to 40% of all hospital deaths. Malaria can only be cured by treating it with the right drugs. The mosquito's resistance to chloroquine is 67%. That's why the disease must be treated with Artemisinin Combination Therapy.
In Cameroon, malaria is responsible for 26% of the total number of work absenteeism, and 40% of a household's income is spent on antimalarial drugs.

Goals and target group
The goal of the campaign is to: ? Reduce malaria-related deaths in children under five and pregnant women. ? Increase the use of LLINs in the target group. ? AConsiderably increase access to malaria prevention tools and drugs. ? Provide more training and education tools to the community. ? Equip aid stations with diagnostic tools such as microscopes, RDKs and thermometers.

Alarmering increase in coastal region of Cameroon
Malaria is endemic in Cameroon. In the northern savannah and the southern woodlands, the epidemiology of malaria has been a main focal point for years. The ecologically characteristic coastal region of Cameroon was recently studied. One can now conclude that severe environmental changes, the rapid growth in population, urbanization and industrial activities are causing a substantial rise in malaria.

The study shows that the risk of contracting malaria is alarmingly high in the coastal region. In Tiko (1), Limbe (2) and Idenau (3) a person is infected per year on average 287 (1), 160 (2) and 149 (3) times! ! Of these numbers, 41.5% of children under five are infected with Plasmodium falciparum. This is the most deadly form of infection and invariably results in death if not treated.

Project Report:

Results of the final report need to be added.