Table 3 Summary of findings and potential actions for Malaria control programmes

1. Limited measurement of psychosocial factors

Few studies measured psychosocial factors beyond knowledge and attitudes. Where factors other than knowledge and attitudes were measured, there was often an association found with malaria behaviors

• Enhance research tools to include a broader range of psychosocial factors (e.g., norms, self-efficacy, interpersonal communication) in studies and surveys

2. Positive association of knowledge, perceived risk, and behavior

Studies consistently found positive associations between knowledge, perceived risk. and malaria preventive behaviors

• Strengthen community engagement programmes to reinforce the seriousness of malaria and its continued threat in low-transmission context, particularly among vulnerable groups

3. Lack of consistency in measurement

There is generally a lack of consistency and standardization in measuring psychosocial variables across studies

• When appropriate for the study context, advocate for the use of standardized measures. Programmes should utilize both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Prior to survey data collection, programmes should verify through pre-test that the variables used to measure the construct are appropriate for the context

4. Limited focus on high-risk subpopulations

Few studies addressed high-risk subpopulations like forest goers, miners, and night-time workers. Behavior change among these groups may require a different approach than the general population

• Expand research on high-risk subpopulations. Research may benefit from respondent-driven and time-location sampling techniques

• Identify communication channels and optimal broadcast periods for high-risk subpopulations