How Men Can Help Prevent Malaria in Their Homes: Patrick and Rosa’s Story
Story by Angela Kateemu, Communications Manager, PMI Uganda Malaria Reduction Activity
“I can’t lose another child to malaria,” declared Patrick Loumo, a resident of Nabilatuk District in northern Uganda. Patrick and his wife Rosa Napokol are parents of three children. Three years ago, they lost their fourth child to severe malaria. Now they are expecting another and are determined to prevent another loss. “Ever since I learned that I can prevent malaria, I have been committed to taking action,” said Patrick.
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in many regions of Uganda, yet many people are unaware of its danger. This leads to inadequate adoption and sustained use of prevention and control measures. The JSI-managed PMI Uganda Malaria Reduction Activity (MRA), in collaboration with district health and village health team (VHT) members and local leaders, uses a multifaceted social behavior change approach to motivate people to adopt behaviors to prevent malaria. This includes owning and correctly using insecticide-treated bed nets, initiating antenatal care (ANC) visits early, and ensuring uptake of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy. The approach also promotes prompt care-seeking; malaria testing before treatment; adhering to the treatment regimen; maintaining environmental cleanliness; and encouraging gender-balanced actions such as male participation in prevention measures.
When their child died at just three months old, many in their village attributed the death to witchcraft because the child had convulsions. However, the health facility confirmed it was severe malaria. This revelation was a turning point for Patrick and Rosa.
“While I was pregnant, I had several bouts of malaria. We didn’t know better and would just buy medicine from the drug shop, but the malaria kept coming back,” said Rosa.
There are widespread misconceptions and malpractices surrounding malaria treatment. PMI MRA provides technical and logistical support to help health workers and VHT members understand contexts, gender roles, and beliefs about malaria to facilitate interactive discussions, including some for men only, on key prevention actions.
“During men-only dialogues in our village, we learned about the danger signs of malaria,” said Patrick. “The health assistant and VHT member taught us what actions we needed to take to ensure our families, especially our children and wives, are malaria-free.”
During community discussions, Patrick and Rosa learned the importance of ANC visits and taking Fansidar to prevent malaria in pregnancy. “In previous pregnancies, I didn’t go for antenatal care,” Rosa admitted. “In our community, people note that pregnancy is not a disease, so if you are not showing any signs of malaria, a pregnant woman rarely goes to the health center, let alone takes Fansidar.”
Rosa has since attended two ANC visits, received Fansidar twice, and obtained a treated mosquito net. “I can say that so far, during this pregnancy, I have not had any malaria. Before, I would test positive for malaria almost every month,” she said.
Patrick emphasized his commitment to his family’s health.
“I am not going to lose another child — or worse, my wife — to malaria. I make sure I accompany her to the facility for ANC visits and that she takes her medication as guided. I also make sure that my family sleeps under mosquito nets every night.”
With these preventive actions in place, Patrick and Rosa haven’t had a case of malaria in their home since October 2023. They have two nets — one for the children and one for themselves — and have cleared mosquito breeding places around their home. They spray a locally available mosquito repellent called Lothiru on their walls as an additional layer of protection.
“We continue to participate in dialogues, and I tell my fellow men about malaria because now I am a champion and a changed man,” Patrick said proudly.
Malaria affects everyone, but disproportionately women and children. In many Ugandan communities, gender roles and inequalities significantly influence who contracts malaria and how — and if — it is treated. Women often bear the brunt of the disease due to increased exposure to mosquito bites during chores such as fetching water and cooking outdoors. By mitigating gender disparities through community dialogues and promoting inclusive preventive measures, PMI MRA aims to reduce the burden of malaria on vulnerable populations and improve overall community health.
Patrick and Rosa’s story demonstrates the power of knowledge and community, especially men, in reducing malaria infections. Their early health-seeking behavior, consistent use of treated mosquito nets, and participation in community dialogues have reduced malaria bouts in their household and set an example for their children and neighbors.
