Effectiveness of malaria control programs in West Africa: a narrative review

Abstract

Malaria is a major public health challenge in Africa, especially in West African countries. Its impacts on the individuals and families in these countries go beyond the physical health status to the financial crises it leaves them to nurse. Different strategies and programs are deployed every day in an attempt to control and eliminate the endemic. Among the numerous programs to control the malaria burden in West Africa are Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), indoor residual spraying, and the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. These malaria control programs must be evaluated regularly to assess their impact and effectiveness in terms of malaria elimination. In addition to that, each country’s government should attach importance to the most effective program for malaria elimination. And not only that, priority must be given to enlightenment campaigns, mass education of citizens on malaria control and elimination, as well as continuous and conscious investment in research and development towards achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 goal of zero malaria in West Africa.

Keywords

• effectiveness
• malaria
• control
• program
• west africa