HIGHLIGHTS

• Despite advancements in Niger, several challenges stand in the way of effective malaria prevention and widespread access to quality care.
• Through the Advancing Health and Malaria Service (AHMS) project, ideas42 is supporting a locally driven approach to increase the coverage and use of life-saving malaria interventions.

The Challenge

Despite advancements in Niger, malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Several challenges stand in the way of effective prevention and widespread access to quality care. Within communities, challenges include disinformation related to the causes of and treatment for malaria, as well as hesitancy or delays in seeking care at health facilities, exacerbated by deeply entrenched gender norms. Within health facilities, provider presumptive treatment of malaria without testing and lack of adherence to recommended prevention and treatment regimens, as well as  poor service communication between providers and clients, contribute to suboptimal malaria care for women and children.

Our Approach

The Advancing Health and Malaria Service (AHMS) project supports a locally driven approach to increase the coverage and use of life-saving malaria interventions as part of a comprehensive package of primary care. 

Under the AHMS Niger project, ideas42 will conduct formative research to guide the design of social and behavior change (SBC) interventions that improve the quality of and access to malaria services and the adoption of health-seeking behaviors for the local Nigerien context.

Preliminary findings are expected by mid-2024. 

Takeaway

Interested in our work applying behavioral science to global health? Email gh@ideas42.org or reach out to us on X at @ideas42 to join the conversation.