Training Manuals On Malaria

Explains the many simple things that community health workers can do to treat malaria prevent new cases and thus help reduce the alarming number of deaths particularly in young children and pregnant women. Practical in its approach the manual concentrates on activities that are within the competence of health workers and feasible and affordable at the community level. Information ranges from a basic explanation of the disease and its transmission to tables illustrating correct treatment schedules for different age groups. The manual which is abundantly illustrated can be used in training courses as a support to the health worker's day-to-day activities or as a tool for health education in the community. The main purpose is to communicate basic facts and messages that if widely understood within a community could do much to reduce the incidence and severity of malaria. Chloroquine is presented as the first-line treatment. The manual has three parts. The first explains what community health workers can do to control malaria and lists the essential medicines and equipment needed. Part two introduces basic facts about malaria and the behaviour of mosquitos and elaborates three main approaches to malaria prevention in communities. The third and most extensive part sets out step-by-step instructions for the recognition and treatment of malaria giving particular attention to standard malaria treatment schedules measures for ensuring compliance what to do when standard treatment fails and how to recognize treat and refer severe cases. The management of malaria in young children and pregnant women also receives special attention.

Bench Aids for Malaria Microscopy is a set of twelve plastic laminated A4-size plates produced as aids for the microscopic diagnosis of human malaria. They are intended for use as both a practical tool for health workers engaged in the routine diagnosis of malaria infections and a teaching aid for students and trainees. This new set has been compiled on the basis of feedback received from a wide range of professionals and experts who had been using the second edition of the Bench Aids for Diagnosing Malaria Infections (WHO, 2000). The bench aids present photomicrographs that show the various species and morphological forms of human malaria in thick and thin blood films. Descriptions of P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae are provided together with detailed instructions on the preparation and use of buffer and staining solutions. The photomicrographs, all at x1000 magnification and stained with Romanowsky stains, show many of the possible variations of malaria parasites. Common faults in making blood films are also illustrated and explained, as well as advice for safe handling blood specimens are also included, to minimize exposure to hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. New sections have been added on anticoagulants and diagnosis of mixed infections, and recognition of other common parasites in peripheral blood smears. The bench aids are produced in a weatherproof plastic-sealed format that is robust and easy to use in the field and at the laboratory bench.

Many countries have succeeded in eliminating malaria from their territories. However, they are still at risk of reintroduction from endemic countries and areas. The malaria programs in these countries face many challenges for prevention of malaria reintroduction, including weak malaria surveillance and vigilance systems, lack of malaria awareness among health professionals and travelers, uncontrolled population movement and lack of cooperation among countries. In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 13 countries either eliminated malaria many years ago or are very close to malaria elimination. The main priority for these countries is to prevent re-establishment of local malaria transmission in receptive and vulnerable areas in their territories. These guidelines on prevention of reintroduction of malaria provide information on malaria surveillance and vigilance, malaria early warning system, prevention and control of re-introduced malaria, emergency preparedness for malaria outbreaks and monitoring, and evaluation of activities. The publication is targeted at policy and decision makers, health authorities responsible for malaria at national and sub-national levels and field staff. It can also be used in training courses on planning and management of malaria elimination.