Curbing the spread of malaria: visual tools
These visual tools show the life cycle of the parasite that causes malaria and the way it is transmitted between human hosts. They are available in English and Venda languages.
Language: English
Nurses and clinic managers at the enrolled clinic will use this infographic to explain the study's intended aim to participants in clear, simple terms. The infographic shows how the malaria parasite enters the human body through the bite of an infected mosquito, multiplies in the liver, and then enters the bloodstream, where malaria symptoms begin to appear. However, after treatment, some parasites can hide in the human bone marrow for a short time before returning to the bloodstream, where they can be picked up by mosquitoes and transmitted to other people. Even people who feel healthy may carry these parasites and continue spreading malaria without knowing it. Current rapid malaria tests do not tell us which stage of the parasite is present, and very small amounts can go undetected. Therefore, our study aims to improve malaria testing to identify the parasites responsible for its spread. By understanding how malaria continues to spread in our communities, we hope to find better ways to stop transmission and protect families across southern Africa.
This workflow provides a step-by-step guide for nurses and clinic managers participating in our malaria surveillance study. It outlines what to do when a patient tests positive for malaria, how to explain the study and complete the required paperwork, and finally how to arrange a follow-up visit between 10 and 55 days after treatment. During the follow-up visit, the team will collect blood samples, correctly label and package all samples and documents, and store them at the recommended temperature until they can be transported to the laboratory. Following these steps will help ensure that patient information is recorded accurately, samples are handled safely, and the study can identify malaria parasites that may still be present and contribute to ongoing transmission.
Language: Venda
