Is the malaria short course for program managers, a priority for malaria control effort in Nigeria? Evidence from a qualitative study.

BackgroundA Malaria Short Course (MSC) was conceptualized to build the capacity of program managers for malaria control due to the lack of a single comprehensive broad-based programmatic training in Nigeria. Prior to its implementation, a needs assessment was conducted based on the perspectives of stakeholders to plan and develop the curriculum.MethodsThis was an exploratory qualitative study. Fifty-six purposively selected stakeholders at local, state and national levels were interviewed. Opinions on the need for training, its perceived impact, priority focus, likelihood of participation, sustainability of and planned support for the MSC were explored using a pretested researcher-designed interview guide. Interviews were audiotape recorded, and the transcripts were subjected to thematic content analysis.ResultsParticipants included Directors of Primary Health Care (50%), State Malaria Program Officers (8.9%), State Directors of Public Health Services (7.1%) and Roll Back Malaria Officers (5.4%). Participants' mean number of years of experience in their current positions was 6.2 (SD 4.7) years. The dominant view was "malaria remains a problem in Nigeria, exacerbated by poor funding, knowledge deficit, lack of training opportunities for program managers and prioritized training budget". A common viewpoint was "to achieve the malaria policy goals, MSC should focus on improving program managers' knowledge of the disease, novel interventions, data audit and use of data for decision making, supportive supervision as well as leadership and management skills. The prioritized thematic areas were malaria epidemiology, case management and data management. The consensus opinion was the MSC would have a positive impact on the performance of program managers. All managerial participants were willing to release their staff for the MSC and encouraged step-down training. However, most participants opined they could not guarantee that their institutions would provide financial support to the MSC attendees.ConclusionsImplementing the MSC for program managers was considered essential towards achieving malaria control. Moreover, there is need for prioritized funding and sustainability mechanisms to actualize the implementation of the course

MOESM2 of Bottlenecks, concerns and needs in malaria operational research: the perspectives of key stakeholders in Nigeria

Additional file 2. Working experience of the study participants on MOR and its associated challenges. A tabular data summarising the study participants’ working experiences and challenges faced while conducting MOR in Nigeria

MOESM1 of Bottlenecks, concerns and needs in malaria operational research: the perspectives of key stakeholders in Nigeria

Additional file 1. Agenda-setting for operational research (national malaria elimination programme). A semi-structured questionnaire used to elicit information on personal biodata, area of expertise, experience in MOR in Nigeria, challenges, bottlenecks in MOR and needs to address the gaps identified

A qualitative exploration of malaria operational research situation in Nigeria

<div><p>Background</p><p>Malaria, remains one of the leading causes of high morbidity and mortality in Nigeria despite implementation of several public health interventions for its control. Operational limitations and methodological gaps have been associated with malaria control interventions and research, and these have necessitated the need for a well-tailored Malaria Operational Research (MOR) agenda. However, there is paucity of evidence-based information on relevant stakeholders’ experience, awareness, perceptions and use of MOR and suggestions on setting MOR agenda. As part of a larger study to provide data for national MOR agenda setting, we assessed the MOR research situation from the perspectives of key stakeholders in Nigeria and contribution of MOR to the malaria elimination agenda</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted key informant interviews among 40 purposively selected stakeholders from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Data was collected using a pre-tested key informant interview guide which comprised issues related to experience, awareness, use of MOR and MOR needs, and suggestions for MOR. We conducted a detailed content analysis.</p><p>Results</p><p>Half of the participants had participated in MOR. Participants perceived MOR as important. Only few were aware of existing framework for MOR in Nigeria while above half expressed that MOR is yet to be used to inform policy in Nigeria. Participants identified several MOR needs such as development of improved diagnostic techniques, and interventions for promoting early diagnosis, prompt treatment and quality programmatic data. Participants opined the need for country-specific prioritised MOR agenda that cut across malaria thematic areas including malaria prevention and case management. Participants suggested the involvement of various stakeholders and multi-disciplinary approach in setting MOR.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Although some stakeholders have been involved in MOR, it is still rarely used to inform policy and several needs exist across thematic areas. A broad-based stakeholder involvement, multi-disciplinary approach to agenda setting and its wide dissemination have been suggested.</p></div

Socio-demographic profile, affiliation, designation and research focus of participants [N = 40].

<p>Socio-demographic profile, affiliation, designation and research focus of participants [N = 40].</p

Additional file 2: of Setting a Nigeria national malaria operational research agenda: the process

Nigeria National Malaria Operational Research Agenda Online Survey questionnaire. (DOC 144 kb

Additional file 3: of Setting a Nigeria national malaria operational research agenda: the process

Nigeria National Malaria Operational Research Agenda Key Informant Interview Guide. (PDF 44 kb