Social and behavioral change communication for malaria prevention and care in Africa a systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Background Malaria is still a serious public health concern in the WHO African Region, where it is expected to cause 233 million cases and 580,000 deaths in 2022, with children under five years old accounting for 80% of these deaths. Through community engagement, community-based social and behavioral change communication (SBCC) programs seek to increase knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to improve treatment adherence, care-seeking, and malaria prevention. The role of community-based SBCC interventions in malaria prevention and treatment throughout Africa was investigated in this systematic review. Methods The literature was obtained from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and grey sources in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Qualitative data synthesis was done with an emphasis on study demographics, intervention features, and results. Result The inclusion criteria were met by twenty-seven papers from seventeen African nations. Community health education, interpersonal communication, advocacy, and social mobilization were among the SBCC strategies that were most frequently used to raise awareness and encourage preventative measures. Knowledge, attitudes, and actions related to preventing malaria were all improved by community-based methods. Insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership and use, early care-seeking, and treatment adherence were all markedly enhanced by exposure to SBCC messaging. Building capability and fostering inter-sectoral cooperation were encouraged via integrated vector-management techniques and community involvement. Communities were successfully engaged, and behavior change was promoted via communication techniques such as flipcharts, posters, leaflets, radio and television programs, and community workshops. Conclusion Prevention and treatment of malaria in endemic areas are greatly aided by community-based SBCC programs. Environmental management, early diagnosis, and ITN utilization are all successfully enhanced by interactive education, interpersonal communication, advocacy, and jointly developed community strategies. It is advised that accurate, context-specific, and participatory SBCC programs be strengthened in order to maintain malaria control efforts in Africa and improve community ownership.