Research and policy impact
Our research
15 countries
where Malaria Consortium conducted research
56%
of first authors from the country where research was conducted
50:50
Equal gender split between men and women authors
36 articles
Papers published by Malaria Consortium and affiliated authors in 2023−2024
Strengthening evidence-based strategies for more effective health service delivery
Recognised by UK Research and Innovation for our high-quality research, we are strengthening evidence-based strategies for more effective health service delivery. Our research explores barriers to accessing quality healthcare in low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia, as well as the unique cultural and social factors that affect health outcomes in specific populations. With this invaluable evidence, ministries of health are able to tailor interventions and devise strategies that address the needs of their communities. This evidence informs healthcare policies that represent local needs and contexts, ensuring health services are not only accessible, but also taken up by communities.
Our donors
(For all projects active in 2023–2024)
Malaria Consortium US
Expertise France/L’initiative
Arctech Innovation-Africa Power
GiveWell
National Institute for Health and Care Research
US Agency for International Development
UNICEF
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de La Sante Burkina Faso
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Global Fund
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UK Research and Innovation
Groundbreaking research in action: Perennial malaria chemoprevention
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
PMC Effect Study, Osun state, Nigeria
With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Malaria Consortium is collaborating with the National Malaria Elimination Programme to conduct the PMC Effect study in Osun state, Nigeria. PMC, or perennial malaria chemoprevention, involves administering antimalarial medicines to children to protect against year-round malaria transmission.
The PMC Effect study will catalyse decision-making in Nigeria around PMC policy adoption and will help to determine the potential value of scale-up in settings that do not implement seasonal malaria chemoprevention. This study is showcasing how the integration of the innovative PMC programme with outreach programmes can pave the way for a successful rollout and reduce the malaria burden among children.
“In my community malaria cases have really reduced. In fact, some private health facilities close to us confirmed that malaria cases have reduced in the community as they don’t have much cases of under-two-year-old clients in their facilities since we started administering PMC.
12,463
children reached with PMC treatment dose
42,367
PMC treatments distributed
Research trajectory: Community dialogues leading to sustainable impact
Malaria Consortium pioneered the Community Dialogue Approach in 2009. Community dialogues create a safe space for communities to discuss their health concerns and the best solutions to address them. We have since successfully applied this flexible approach in multiple settings, adapting dialogues to suit local contexts. The communities select their dialogue facilitators, who are all local volunteers and are well known by community members. Because dialogues are built on trust, they achieve the greatest impact for individuals. By involving communities in the design, planning and implementation of projects, we are ensuring that health solutions are community-led and, therefore, sustainable.
“[The Breaking Barriers] project has taught me that, anytime I and my family sleep under a bed net, we’re safe from malaria. And for the past one year, I have not been sick of malaria. My children don’t fall sick again as before because we’ve been implementing all the lessons we’ve learnt during our CoHPA meetings.”
208%
increase in identification and treatment of malaria cases in the community through the Breaking Barriers initiative
Community dialogue approach designed
Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia pilot − integrated community case management
Mozambique − mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases
Bangladesh − antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Mozambique – mobile health
Cameroon − Community Health Participatory Action (CoHPA) approach
Bangladesh and Nepal − AMR
Community dialogue approach became national policy when it was adopted into Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan
Fatema’s story
In Bangladesh, community engagement is empowering women to address the contextual drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Fatema is a facilitator from Nilokhi, Cumilla district, Bangladesh. Since 2023, she has led dialogues with members of her local community to establish a community-wide approach for raising awareness about AMR and infection prevention, and the control and appropriate use of antibiotics.
“I have been able to bring positive changes into my life. I used to buy antibiotics for all sorts of random diseases. I would not complete the full course. I have changed this practice now. I have also raised awareness of this in my surroundings. Everyone is changing for the better.
“Through this project…my awareness has been raised. Many people didn’t know before, they used to take antibiotics randomly. Now, they have understood their mistake. They will no longer buy antibiotics from the pharmacy without a proper prescription. People wouldn’t wash their hands after feeding their livestock. Bacteria from those animals would then spread to humans. People didn’t know that they would have to wash their hands with antibacterial soap before touching food items. Now, they are very sincere about this.
"It’s not possible for a single person to ensure these positive changes in the community. We have to help each other raise awareness. It’s only possible through discussions and interactions with each other.”
Fatema, Community Dialogue Facilitator
Built with Shorthand