LAGOS Environmental Sanitation Malaria Project

Malaria remains a major public health problem in Nigeria, particularly among the under five children and pregnant women.

JICA Nigeria office in an attempt to assist the government of Nigeria conducted a baseline survey in six urban highly populated communities in 3 Local Government Areas (Surulere, Mushin and Ajeromi-Ifelodun) in Lagos State. The survey was conducted in partnership with a local community based organization known as “Lawanson Community Partners for Health” (LCPH) based in Surulere Local Government Area (LGA). The overall purpose is to provide valuable baseline information that could be useful in reducing prevalence of malaria in the project communities.

The result of this survey showed apparently the need for a holistic malaria control strategy. Major findings from the survey which were presented to the relevant stakeholders includes high incidence of malaria among the under 5 and pregnant women, poor health and treatment seeking behavior (self-treatment and under doses), poor individual and community’s preventive practices (no use of Insecticide Treated net (ITN) by the under 5 and pregnant women), poor environment, inability to afford optimum therapy occasioned by inability to pay for the cost of comprehensive treatment most importantly diagnosis.

Training community members in important issues related to malaria causes, prevention with major emphasis on use of ITN and improving the environmental sanitation were considered crucial in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in these communities. With the services of a private consultant, a training manual was developed and consequently a Training of Trainers (TOT) and Community Based Organization (CBO)s training were conducted.

The Overall Goal of the JICA’s intervention is to create a malaria control model that can be adapted and replicated in the whole of Lagos State

(1) The environmental condition will be improved by construction and rehabilitation of drainage and through community participation in weekly environmental sanitation activities

(2) The use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) for malaria prevention will increase among under fives and pregnant women

(3) The disease management will be strengthened at the community and health facility level

(4) The support and acceptance for LESMAC project will increase among the governments.

(1) To improve the environmental conditions by (i) construction of drainage, (ii) organizing environmental sanitation activities in each community (e.g. Collect refuse and clean the blockade drainage by community members ever Saturday)

(2) To increase the use of ITNs through (i) establishing the revolving fund scheme for procurement of ITNs and its accounting and reporting system, (ii) training ITN promoters, (iii) training community members for ITN use and re-treatment, and (iv) providing ITNs and Information Education Communication (IEC) materials through antenatal clinic and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Clinic at the primary health centers (PHCs), CPH clinic, home visits, kiosks, etc. through ITN promoters and community members

(3) To strengthen disease management at the community and health facility level through (i) training community based organization (CBOs), (ii) providing health education to household heads (fathers, mothers etc), and (iii) providing anti-malaria drug to PHCs through the Lagos State free malaria drug program

(1) Department of Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health

(2) Lawanson Community Partners for Health, Surulele

(3) Jas Community Partners for Health, Mushin

(4) Amokoko Community Partners for Health, Ajeromi-ifelodun