BACKGROUND While great strides have been achieved in fighting malaria through the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) strategy, the recent world malaria report shows an increase in malaria-related deaths compared to previous years. Malaria control tools are efficacious and effective in preventing the disease; however, the human behaviour aspect of the intervention strategies is weak due to heavy reliance on positive human health behaviour. The challenge lies in adoption of control interventions by the target population which, to an extent, may include access to prevention and treatment tools. We present a qualitative assessment of the use of the Health Animator (HA) model for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) to improve adoption and use of malaria control by promoting positive health behaviours. RESULTS We conducted 3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 23 individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) with HAs. Each FGD consisted of 8 participants. Data was analysed using QSR International NVivo 10 software. There are four main themes emerging regarding HA experiences. The perceptions include; collaborative work experience, personal motivation and growth, community participation with health animation and challenges with implementation. Results suggest that HAs were pleased with the training as they gained new information regarding malaria, which affected their use of malaria control interventions within their families. Knowledge was well assimilated from the trainings and influenced personal growth in becoming a community leader. Support from the leadership within the village and the health system was important in legitimising the main messages. The community responded positively to the workshops valued the information imparted. The voluntary nature of the work in a poverty-stricken community affected sustainability. CONCLUSIONS There is need to empower communities with strategies within their reach. Functioning traditional social support structures are a crucial element in sustainability. Voluntarism is also key for sustainability, especially for rural and remote communities with limited sources of income.

中文翻译：

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对马拉维农村地区疟疾控制社区卫生动画经验的定性探索。

背景虽然通过减少疟疾（RBM）战略在抗击疟疾方面取得了巨大进步，但最近的世界疟疾报告显示，与前几年相比，与疟疾相关的死亡人数有所增加。疟疾控制工具能够有效地预防该疾病；然而，由于严重依赖积极的人类健康行为，干预策略的人类行为方面薄弱。挑战在于目标人群采取控制干预措施，在某种程度上可能包括获得预防和治疗工具。我们对健康动画师 (HA) 信息、教育和交流 (IEC) 模型的使用进行了定性评估，以通过促进积极的健康行为来提高疟疾控制的采用和使用。结果 我们与 HA 进行了 3 次焦点小组讨论 (FGD) 和 23 次个人深度访谈 (IDI)。每个 FGD 由 8 名参与者组成。使用 QSR International NVivo 10 软件分析数据。关于医管局的经验有四个主要主题。这些看法包括：协作工作经验、个人动机和成长、健康动画的社区参与以及实施方面的挑战。结果表明，医管局对培训感到满意，因为他们获得了有关疟疾的新信息，这影响了他们在家庭中使用疟疾控制干预措施。从培训中很好地吸收了知识，并影响了成为社区领导者的个人成长。村里领导层和卫生系统的支持对于使主要信息合法化非常重要。社区对研讨会反应积极，重视所传递的信息。贫困社区工作的志愿性质影响了可持续性。结论 需要通过力所能及的战略来增强社区的能力。发挥作用的传统社会支持结构是可持续发展的关键要素。自愿主义也是可持续发展的关键，特别是对于收入来源有限的农村和偏远社区。