Preventing malaria among conflict-affected communities in Southwest and Littoral regions, Cameroon

Authors: Margaret EO Ebob Besem, Elvis Asangbeng Tanue, Bibiche Modjenpa Noukeme, Brenda Mbouamba Yankam, Oluwafunmilayo Ogundeko-Olugbami, Laura Donovan, Ann-Sophie Stratil, Helen Counihan, Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai, Helen Hawkings, Blanka Homolova, Kolawole Maxwell, Kevin Baker,1 Yakouba Zoungrana, Glennise Ayuk, Alain Metuge, Isabelle Nganmou, Dorothy Achu, Samuel Wanji, Elizabeth Berryman, LundiAnne Omam, Esther Njomo Omam

Regular community-led engagement with funded planning and evaluation improves demand for malaria services in conflict-affected areas. Cash vouchers and supervision of community health workers can further enhance malaria management in settings with a functioning health system.

Breaking Barriers is a four-year implementation study investigating community-based solutions in 80 conflict-affected communities with a high malaria burden in Southwest and Littoral regions, Cameroon. The study aims to develop and evaluate context-specific, community-driven interventions to improve access to effective malaria case management services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in these regions. It employs the Community Health Participatory Approach (CoHPA), developed by Malaria Consortium, to enable communities to collaborate in driving social change and improving health outcomes. One key intervention is a transport referral and voucher system, which provides free treatment for malaria and other serious diseases to pregnant women and other vulnerable populations.

This poster was presented at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH).