MALARIA AND EDUCATION: A COMPLEX INTERPLAY

Malaria is a familiar term, particularly to residents of malaria-endemic regions.

This relentless health challenge continues to overshadow the diverse endeavors
of people in these areas, notably impacting the academic pursuits of students.
Education serves as a critical foundation for personal development and societal
progress, yet the presence of this illness poses a formidable obstacle, emphasizing
the need to understand the intricate relationship between educational pursuits
and malaria.

Malaria has been found to have multifaceted effects on the cognitive functions
and academic engagement of students. Malaria-induced symptoms such as high
fever, fatigue, chills and general feelings of discomfort can significantly impair
cognitive functions such as concentration, information processing and retention.
Infected students may also be forced to be absent from school activities in order
to recover from their illness. This could result in learning gaps and hindered
academic progress. Such students often struggle to catch up with their peers
leading to a decline in their overall academic performance and confidence.

Putting into consideration the effects of this illness, educational institutions must
make more efforts to address malaria. This requires a comprehensive approach
that combines preventive measures, educational programs and collaborative
efforts between the health and education sectors. Regular environmental
sanitation, mosquito control initiatives and the distribution of insecticide-treated
bed nets within the school premises are necessary preventive measures.
Collaborative efforts between healthcare professionals and educators can
facilitate the integration of health services including regular health check-ups and
access to prompt treatment.

The success stories of various interventions, often borne out of collaborative

efforts between local communities, NGOs and governmental bodies, demonstrate
the effectiveness of integrating health and education. A notable example is the
Mali study which involved nearly 2,000 school children and was conducted by
Save the Children in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine and the National Institute for Public Health Research in Mali from 2011
to 2012. School children who received a malaria control package combining
preventive methods and intermittent parasite clearance delivered by schools
(IPCs) were found to be more than 95% less likely to be infected with malaria
parasites than a control group. Their ability to pay attention for longer was also
found to have improved.

Moving forward, policy makers and stakeholders must prioritize sustainable

solutions that combine preventive measures, educational programs and robust
healthcare infrastructure within educational settings. Investing in comprehensive
healthcare facilities, including regular health check-ups and access to prompt
treatment, is crucial in ensuring the wellbeing of students in malaria-affected
regions.

By evaluating this relationship between health and education, it becomes

increasingly imperative to create a future where students in malaria-endemic
regions can thrive academically despite the persistent challenges posed by this
debilitating illness. This requires a joint effort from all stakeholders –
governmental bodies, schools and communities – to prioritize both education and
health initiatives. Through this, students can be empowered to transcend the
barriers imposed by malaria and strive for academic success with confidence and
security.

Olohifain Kehinde Aigbavboa

300 level

Reference(s):
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. (2018, November 26). Malaria
control in African schools dramatically cuts infection and reduces risk. Retrieved
from https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2018/malaria-control-african-
schools-dramatically-cuts-infection-and-reduces-risk