Open AccessIncreasing Access to Early Malaria Diagnosis and Prompted Treatment in Remote Cambodian Villages
Author(s) -
Soy Ty Kheang,
Duong Socheat,
Aida Olkkonen
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2011.300228
Subject(s) - malaria , public health , agency (philosophy) , medicine , environmental health , malaria prevention , environmental protection , health services , geography , nursing , population , immunology , philosophy , epistemology
Malaria poses a significant public health burden in the remote areas of western Cambodia, where access to health services and information is limited. Recognizing the potential of village malaria workers to reach these communities, the US Agency for International Development-funded Malaria Control in Cambodia project used a multipronged approach to strengthen the village malaria workers network. As a result, the proportion of confirmed malaria cases treated by village malaria workers has doubled during the past 2 years, significantly increasing the numbers being properly diagnosed and treated. Key to the program's success has been the integration of village malaria workers with public health facilities, improved patient access to prompt diagnosis and treatment, and resolution of systemic barriers such as logistics for rapid diagnostic tests.