Assessing capacity in surveillance and response, resource availability and readiness score for malaria elimination in four counties and their sub-counties; Kenya, 2023

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess capacity in surveillance and response, resource availability and readiness score for  Malaria Elimination in Four Counties and their Sub Counties.

Design: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study design that used routinely collected malaria program data using a tool adopted by  NMCP (National Malaria Control Program) and modified to fit the country’s context, DistrictLevel Readiness for Elimination of Malaria  Tool (DREAM-IT), developed by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) during a baseline survey in January 2023.

Setting: Four counties targeted for malaria elimination in Kenya namely, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Laikipia and Nyeri and their 21 sub  counties.

Subject or participant: County and sub county health management teams in malaria related positions.

Intervention: Implementation of  malaria elimination strategy in the four target counties in Kenya.

Main outcome measures: County and sub-county health  management teams’ readiness score to implement surveillance, response, and avail resources for malaria elimination. Results: For  surveillance and response, the readiness score was at 50 % both at the county and sub-county level and notably worst in one County at  30%. Resource availability was over 85% both at the sub county and county level, however, in one county resources in the county level  were very low compared to the sub county.

Conclusion: In conclusion, there were variations noted across all the counties as illustrated by  the readiness score at the county and sub county level. Need to improve on data management, data quality assurance mechanisms,  human resource capacity building and prioritization of malaria activities at county and sub county level.