to strengthen behavior change

Objective

To mobilize communities in the fight against malaria through national awareness campaigns.

Background

In 2009, Imbuto Foundation started the malaria awareness project to achieve at least 90% long-lasting insecticidal coverage of the population by 2013 in targeted districts. 

Imbuto Foundation engages communities in the 6 districts of Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gasabo, Kamonyi, Muhanga and Nyanza. Since 2010, we have been partnering with sports federations for a more effective reach of the youth. In 2011, Imbuto Foundation also started to chair the Mosquito Repellent Plant Study committee, which monitors the research of alternative methods for malaria prevention and treatment based on herbal medicine.

The supervision of this study is currently under the responsibility of the Rwanda Biomedical Center (MoH).  

A total of 9 NGOs participate in the malaria awareness campaign. This project also supports district hospitals and health centers to strengthen behavior change communication strategies for improved malaria prevention and control. District hospitals are facilitated to reinforce health centers (HC) staff capacity, and health centers in turn focus on building the capacity of Community Health Workers (CHW). 

Project start  

• Started in 2009
• Renewed annually

Partners   

• Global Fund (Since 2009)
• Rwandan Sports Federations (football, karate, volleyball, basket-ball) : games & competitions

Achievements to date

• 77 health facilities currently supported in 6 districts
• Total of 80,000 people reached through campaigns since 2009 
• More than 4,000 CWH mobilized to create awareness on malaria prevention & control