LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES AGAINST MALARIA ENDEMICITY IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Authors

  • Dirontsho Maphane Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana
  • Ntombi Barbara Ngwenya Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana
  • Oluwatoyin Dare Kolawole
  • Moseki Ronald Motsholapheko
  • Vincent Pagiwa Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/Ajid%20v16i2.3

Keywords:

local knowledge, adaptation, Botswana, malaria control, Okavango Delta

Abstract

Background: An increasing recognition of the need to eliminate malaria infection globally and particularly in Africa where more than 90% of the cases originate, should enhance community awareness and participation in the same.  The perennial freshwater of Okavango Delta located in northern Botswana, which is a source of rural livelihoods and a suitable habitat for the malaria-causing mosquito, and where malaria is endemic provides a suitable environment for the study.Therefore,local households’ adaptive strategies against malaria transmission in the Okavango Delta were investigated.

Materials and Methods: The data used in this paper is a subset or retrospective cohort of 79 households that reported malaria cases/incidences during the first community level household survey conducted from October-November 2015 on 355 households in Shakawe and Ngarange. The households were selected through stratified random sampling in the two study villages. The retrospective cohort household survey was conducted from 7-19 August 2016, in the two study sites. Data were collected through socio-economic survey, key informants’ interviews and focus group discussions.

Results: The results obtained indicate that most cohort households embraced several adaptive strategies against malaria transmission. These included, inter alia, knowledge capacity building through attendance of health information and education workshops(69%), modifications of houses structures(49.4%), timing of activities and restricting movement at certain times of the day(43%).

Discussion:Although most of the stated adaptive strategies such as house screening were not exclusively aimed towards malaria prevention and adaptation, they nonetheless had postive spill over effect that could be a catalyst for eliminating malaria in the study area.

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Published

2022-05-12

How to Cite

Maphane, D., Ngwenya, N. B., Kolawole, O. D., Motsholapheko, M. R., & Pagiwa, V. . (2022). LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES AGAINST MALARIA ENDEMICITY IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 16(2), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.21010/Ajid v16i2.3

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Maphane Dirontsho, Ngwenya Barbara Ntombi, Kolawole Oluwatoyin Dare, Motsholapheko Moseki Ronald, Pagiwa Vincent

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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