DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is an organochlorine pesticide most commonly used to eradicate mosquitoes from houses. DDT has largely eliminated Malaria from the USA. However, there are several hazards in the use of DDT. DDT molecules stay in air & water for a long and then spread over to other places easily. It not only kills mosquitoes but also affects other insects on the earth. It softens the eggs of insects which are mostly eaten by birds.
Carson (1962) wrote in her book against use of DDT as it poses several health hazards to human life and other life on earth necessary to maintain normal ecosystem. It kills spiders, cockroaches, ants and all other insects. Birds may eat those poisoned insects and hence their health is affected. They may lay eggs contaminated with DDT particles. Environmental protection agency banned use of DDT in 1972. More than 100 countries adopted the treaty to eliminate use of organic pollutants, but, several countries were still found to make use of it. Several other interventions can be adopted to eliminate malaria and avoid growth of mosquitoes.
The other objective was targeted towards strengthening the capacity of the health service in order to promote the actions of the community for intersectoral cooperation. It was mentioned that previous such control programs were rendered ineffective due to lack of participation from the community including advocacy from the relevant sectors involved. A nation wide awareness campaign was launched to impart training to the masses regarding the prevention of malaria and remedies to eradicate the disease. However, it was mentioned that this would not be an easy task due to the multilingual population, the multicultural dimensions within the community, low literacy rates, and a low interest exhibited by the public, as they seemed to have become adapted to malaria, and were actually not very concerned. It was a major task actually convincing the rural tribes, and implementing the precautionary measures to be taken. With previous unsuccessful-intersectoral programs, there was no difference in this program. A new dimension had to be taken, probably by conducting training within communities, instead of between the communities, for a more peaceful program.
A malarial control and learning unit was to be established, which was to be used as a training center for imparting knowledge to the rural masses. It was proposed that awareness about malarial could be introduced in syllabi of schools, and information could be included in textbooks, thus making this a compulsory education for children. Similarly, communication actions through communication-based organizations, media coverage, and advocacy by community leaders would be used as tools in this malaria eradication campaign. This was a strong approach and could be effective means of launching a feasible campaign, as media, and community leaders, academic introductions, will definitely be effective means of dissemination of information.
It was detrimental to initiate a new and improved malarial eradication program to take immediate, effective, and efficient remedial measures. The proposal aims in launching an improved system so that decisions made by the top authorities would be more effective. Decision-making was more diverse, as it included community leaders and civil society so that a more dilute community was approached in the exercise of the decision making process. The information system was modified in order to improve the quality and quantity of epidemiology indicators, for a more thorough and timely flow of information to the health personnel.
References
- San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, (1997) Health Belief Model, pp. 19-40.
- Health beliemodelel, (2008), pp.19-40
- Zimmerman RH, Voorham J, (2008), Use of insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets and other impregnated materials for malaria control in the Americas.