Exploring of socio-economic factors affecting malaria prevention programs: the case of Bagamoyo district in cost region, Tanzania

This study investigated the socio- economic factors affecting malaria prevention programs at the community and household level in Bagamoyo District. The study specifically, intended to assess malaria programs found in the communities and people‘s participation in those programs, in order to ascertain socio-economic factors which hinder the implementation of malaria prevention programs. The study was conducted in three villages namely: Dunda, Magomeni and Zingatia. A total of 100 participants were involved in the study who were selected using probability and non probability sampling techniques. Data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods using questionnaire, in depth interviews (IDI), focus group discussions (FGD) and observation. Indeed, the study found some socio-economic factors which slow down malaria control initiatives. These included types of poor houses, traditional dances which take place at night, severe poverty which make people fail to buy bed nets for all family members, petty businesses conducted in the evening, and irregular use of bed nets. The study concludes that malaria is still a major problem in Bagamoyo due to extreme poverty, lack of adequate education on malaria prevention and poor participation of people in malaria projects. The study recommends to involve community members in malaria prevention programs very early in the initial stages. Moreover, those who educate people on malaria prevention should insist on using multiple methods of prevention instead of insisting only on the use of bed nets.