Knowledge, attitude and practice about malaria in south-western Saudi Arabia: A household-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning malaria and malaria prevention among rural populations residing in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. This was a household-based cross-sectional survey, using structured questionnaire that was developed and distributed among households selected randomly from 19 villages (clusters) located in a southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, north of the border with Yemen. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 20. A majority of respondents (98.4%) reported that they had heard about malaria, but only 21.7% reported that they had sufficient information about the disease. Surprisingly, the most popular source of information was the internet and social media (proportion responding positively in parenthesis) (25.5%), followed by family (21.7%), while information from health facilities contributed only 12.4%. A majority of respondents were aware that malaria is a communicable (89.1%) and deadly (70%) disease; however, only 30.2% of the respondents responded that malaria is a treatable disease. Almost all of the aware respondents (97.5%) were inclined to seek treatment from health facilities, and 63.2% preferred to seek treatment within 24h of presenting with symptoms. Regarding personal precautions, the most common practice adopted by respondents was indoor residual spraying IRS (47.3%), followed by anti-mosquito spraying (29.8%), mosquito bed nets (13.2%) and combined anti-mosquito sprays and nets on windows (4.7%). This KAP study did not show any statistically significant differences in KAP due to age; however the practices of preventive measures against malaria differed significantly by nationality (Saudi versus non-Saudi). We conclude that most populations living in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria and seek timely treatment. However, the positive attitudes and practices in relation to personal protection and prevention measures against malaria require marked improvement. The obvious gap between the knowledge and practice related to malaria prevention requires innovative strategies based on local evidence that well suits the local circumstances to promote and encourage the adoption and practice of personal protective measures.

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

“…The main types of malaria preventive measures frequently reported by the present study participants were use of mosquito net, drain stagnated water (mosquito breeding sites), house spray (DDT) and fumigation. This finding was consistence with previous studies from other part of Ethiopia, Tanzania, India, and Saudi Arabia [21,35,36,37]. In this study, (85.5%) respondents knew that mosquito nets prevent malaria, and hence made use of them to prevent the disease.…”

“…In this study, more than 85% of respondents believed that malaria is preventable disease which is higher than the finding of a study in south-western Saudi Arabia (30.2%) [35]. The main types of malaria preventive measures frequently reported by the present study participants were use of mosquito net, drain stagnated water (mosquito breeding sites), house spray (DDT) and fumigation.…”

Habits, Customs and Community Beliefs about Malaria and Its Vector (Anopheles sp.) in Vistahermosa (Meta-Colombia)

“…7 Similarly, in studies in Saudi Arabia, where knowledge of this disease is acceptable, there is a gap between knowledge and prevention-related practices, which require innovative strategies based on local experiences and evidence to promote and encourage the community to adopt effective control and protection measures. 8 We found that the community of Vistahermosa presented a low level of knowledge of the Anopheles mosquito, which is the malaria vector, as well as the vector control forms. Many people confused the vector of malaria with the vector of dengue, chikungunya and zika (Aedes spp.…”

Impact of an intervention programme on knowledge, attitudes and practices of population regarding severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in endemic areas of Lu'an, China

“…In the pre-intervention phase, the total KAP scores for students group (mean rank = 166·6) and non-students group (mean rank = 235·1) were statistically significantly different and displayed a median of 12 (IQR = 9·5-14) in students group and 14 (IQR = 11-17) in non-students group, respectively. In the post-intervention phase, the total KAP scores for students group (mean rank = 176·4) and non-students group (mean rank = 167·1) were not statistically significantly different and displayed a median of 17 (IQR = [15][16][17][18][19] in students group and 17 (IQR = 13-19) in nonstudents group, respectively. Based on these results, it can be assumed that the intervention programme had a better effect on students group.…”

“…We assessed KAP of respondents regarding SFTS based on their responses to the questionnaire provided. Table 2 shows the median (IQR) of KAP and total KAP score was 3 (1-5), 8 (6·5-9), 3 (2-3) and 13 (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) in the pre-invention phase and 5 (3-7), 10 (7-10), 3 (3-3) and 17 (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) in the post-invention phase, respectively. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in the four type scores (Ps < 0·001).…”