Knowledge and perceptions about malaria in communities in four districts of the Central African Republic

Abstract

BackgroundImplementation of malaria control strategies may face major social and cultural challenges. Hence, understanding local knowledge about malaria helps in designing sustainable community-based malaria control programmes. We designed a pilot survey in communities in the Central African Republic to evaluate recognition of malaria symptoms, perceptions of the causes of malaria and knowledge of key preventive measures.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts. Households were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling, with villages (in Lobaye, Ouham and Ouaka) and boroughs (in Bangui City) as first-stage units and households as second-stage units. A total of 2920 householders were interviewed.ResultsMost of the respondents attributed malaria to mosquito bites (65.5%), but less than 50% were familiar with the classical symptoms of malaria. Hygiene and sanitation were the most frequently mentioned methods for preventing malaria (81.1%). Despite the relatively high rate of ownership of insecticide-treated nets (72.1%), community perception of these nets as a preventive measure against mosquito bites was very low (6.5%).ConclusionsThe correct perceptions that mosquitoes cause malaria transmission and of environmental management for prevention are encouraging; however, awareness about the usefulness of insecticide treated-nets for malaria prevention must be raised. This study provided the national malaria control programme with baseline data for planning appropriate health education in communities.

Community Knowledge, Attitude and Practice About Malaria and Mosquito Biting Behavior in Southern Ethiopia

“…The result of the present study is lower than the study conducted in the communities of four districts of the Central African Republic (range 48-79.7%) [25]. Some respondents still believed that exposure to cold/cloudy weather is a direct cause of malaria disease.…”

“…They input this sensitization particular part is frequently used in malaria prevention and control interventions. However, in this study only 13.2% of respondents were mentioned that lack of personal hygiene and sanitation is cause of malaria; this awareness is very lower than the level reported in Central African Republic [25].…”

“…Similar studies conducted in Ethiopia indicate that respondents were mentioned fever, chills and headache are as a symptom of malaria [26]. Other studies reported that respondents had poor knowledge about malaria signs and symptoms and it may delay treatment [25].…”

“…Promoting active community involvement and ownership in malaria control and management through strengthening community based organizations and appropriate health education would be relevant to reduce the prevalence of malaria [22,23,24,25]. Environmental management and ITNs for prevention of malaria are safe, socially acceptable and should be promoted for vector control to reduce the disease burden in the rural communities [26,27].…”

Home treatment and use of informal market of pharmaceutical drugs for the management of paediatric malaria in Cotonou, Benin

“…Diarrhoea was poorly known as a malaria symptom and was rarely mentioned in Tanzania [39] and Nigeria [40]. Furthermore, the proportions of respondents who perceived vomiting as a symptom of malaria varies across studies, from low (8.8%) in Lagos, Nigeria among pregnant women [41], to varying from 17.6% to 32.4% in households in four selected districts of the Central African Republic [42]. The fact that, caregivers who declared “vomiting, diarrhoea” practised home treatment less frequently might suggested that these symptoms were not always considered as symptoms malaria symptoms in also this study, thus necessitate referral to a health-care professional for a differential diagnosis.…”