Fight against malaria in Guinea: a fight which always comes up against the reluctance of the populations

Like other countries in the world, Guinea celebrated World Malaria Day on April 25, 2022. This day is used to raise awareness among communities about the dangers but also the prevention of this disease.

This year, the chosen theme is: “Innovating to reduce the burden of malaria and save lives”. However, in Guinea, community agents face resistance from communities.

 “The use of impregnated mosquito nets is not happening as we want. After the endowment, there are some people who send these mosquito nets to the vegetable gardens to make a fence instead of protecting themselves against mosquitoes. But we continue to raise awareness even if it is not easy with this population which is mostly illiterate. Some people have the idea that everything that is donated is not good to use. This prevented us from having a good result but nevertheless as we persist we will be able to emerge victorious against this disease.», deplores Moriba Sélassié Beavogui, community agent met at the Maferinyah improved health center.

Toddlers are most affected

A sub-prefecture of Forécariah not far from the capital Conakry. It covers an area of ​​500 km2, this locality which has an improved health center and community relays making it possible to ensure the response to epidemic potentilla diseases such as malaria. However, for some time there has been an outbreak of cases among children in the sub-prefecture of Maferinyah. “The most affected group today are children under 5 years old. Because with pregnant women, SP (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) allows us to avoid deaths during childbirth », supports Moriba Selassie Beavogui.

Malaria-related cases are common in Maferinyah

An outbreak of malaria cases which to date can be explained by a lack of collaboration between the health authorities and the populations of this locality.« Throughout Guinea, Maferinyah is recognized as an area of reluctance par excellence», declared Dr Abdoulaye BARRY, Director of the Maferinyah improved health center.

Despite the reluctance of the population, the health authorities have not let down their guard against this disease. A new strategy called “prevention in schools” has been put in place. « When we understood that it is children who are much more victims, we tried to change strategy. We opted for prevention in schools, which consists of organizing educational talks in schools using image boxes. By 2023, we will know if this strategy has been successful. But all the same, we are aware of one thing, if the children are strongly sensitized, once at home, they will act on the conscience of the parents for the proper use of impregnated mosquito nets., a concluded Moriba Selassie Beavogui, community agent.

Malaria has become a global disease

While efforts are fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, malaria continues to claim lives around the world. According to estimates from the world health organization WHO, in 2020, 627,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded compared to 409,000 deaths in 2019. In its 2021 report, the WHO also highlights that 95% of global deaths were recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa among children under 5 years old.

Mamadou Kindy Bah