[UgaBYTES] Evidence | TV & Phone key in fighting malaria

[Meddie Mayanja]

Dear all,

This study might be of interest to you. It suggests the information and
communication networks have a significant impact to fighting malaria. The
study uses telephone density and TV density as two major ICN variables to
investigate its impact in reducing malaria deaths. The cross country
analysis shows that the ICN density as measured by the telephones and TV
sets per 1,000 people has a significant correlation with reduced probability
of malaria deaths. Telephones, an inter-personal means of communication,
connects individuals to a bigger social network and facilitates rapid
diagnosis and treatment, whereas TV, a mass media communication means, can
provide disease awareness among the population, encourage people to adopt
healthy behaviour and communicate risk mitigation measures. Read more from
here: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/136#B5

In preventing malaria, ICN may not have a direct impact similar to malaria
drugs but it can certainly increase the effectiveness of the intervention
strategies and resources indirectly. ICN can speed up the delivery of
services and provide access to crucial health information. Access to
information and knowledge allows the community members to participate in
opportunities and activities related to their own development.
There have been concerns raised by researchers that more availability of
telephone lines and Internet connections will not address the fundamental
problems in developing countries which arise mainly because of unequal
distribution of wealth and inequitable access to technology. 

A successful effort of malaria prevention would have to promote access of
ICN facilities to the disadvantaged and deprived classes in the society.
Recently there have been some exciting innovations to address the needs of
the disadvantaged groups in the society. For instance, the cellular phone
operations by Grameen Telecom (GTC) in Bangladesh, where telephone density
is one of the lowest in the world, has become a very successful venture.
Another initiative, Grameen Communications (GC) has developed a number of
multipurpose tele-centers in the rural areas that provide villagers access
to information, communication, services and education relating to
information technology.

Best, Meddie