Local knowledge of adaptive strategies against malaria endemicity in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

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.