Operational Research

Malaria control programmes need to develop the capability to undertake applied field research on issues of direct relevance to control objectives. Such research should be conducted by health personnel with assistance from research institutions and other groups. The objectives and design of operational research projects should be established within countries and should be closely tied to the particular problems identified during planning, implementation and evaluation of control programmes at all levels. Those who will have to implement decisions made as a result of the research should be closely involved in the research process, so that they are committed to its conclusions.

Operational research in malaria control should address not only the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of specific interventions, but also related areas that influence them and other components of programme and management activities. These will include capabilities for effective epidemiological response community perceptions of malaria and treatment practices the effectiveness of referal systems implementation and effectiveness of antimalarial drug policies the impact of migration and of ecological and environmental changes on malaria.