Stopping a Killer: Preventing Malaria In Our Communities. A Guide to Help Faith Leaders Educate Congregations and Communities About Malaria

An interfaith sermon guide for Christian and Muslim leaders to provide a series of sermons about malaria prevention.

The guide emphasizes the influence that faith leaders have among their congregations and communities. The guide urges faith leaders to help families to protect their health by giving them information to make the right choices. There are sample sermons in this guide, and introductions to each sermon, which provide background information.

The guide offers Six Messages to Fight Malaria and Save Lives:

1. All people in a household should sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net, especially pregnant women and children under five years, since they are the most vulnerable to malaria
2. Pregnant women must take two doses of anti-malarial medicine as prescribed by a healthcare provider
3. Be receptive to local initiatives to spray the inside or outside of homes, as this also prevents malaria
4. It is important to recognize the symptoms of malaria and to seek treatment as soon as possible at a health facility
5. Follow treatment guidelines as directed by health facility staff and complete the full course of treatment to ensure malaria is cured and does not become resistant to medication
6. Keep a clean environment, so mosquitoes cannot breed – clear standing water and clean up trash around your property

Source: Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty, IMA World Health

Date of Publication: December 22, 2019