Community Health Worker Programmes in Madagascar: An Impact Assessment on Malaria Reduction

Community health worker (CHW) programmes have been implemented in various African countries to address health issues such as malaria. Madagascar's southern province has seen a significant rise in malaria incidence, prompting an evaluation of CHW programmes' effectiveness. The study utilised secondary data from government health records, including malaria case reports and CHW activity logs. A comparative analysis was conducted between pre-implementation and post-implementation periods to evaluate changes in malaria prevalence. CHW programmes were associated with a notable reduction in malaria cases by approximately 20% over the study period, highlighting their effectiveness in community health interventions. While CHW programmes showed promise in reducing malaria incidence, further research is needed to explore sustainable operational models and long-term impacts on endemic areas. Investment in training for CHWs should be prioritised alongside continuous monitoring of programme efficacy. Additionally, integration with existing health systems can enhance their impact.