Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of Human Populations towards Malaria Control in Four Ecoepidemiological Settings in Cameroon

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health problem in Cameroon. Critical steps to improve disease control include assessing human population adherence to vector control interventions, especially in areas with different cultural backgrounds. The present study seeks to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of populations towards malaria prevention in four ecoepidemiological settings in Cameroon. A cross-sectional malaria KAP survey was conducted from August to September 2019 in households of the localities of Kaélé, Tibati, Bertoua, and Santchou. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected households in the localities. Data recorded were analysed using SPSS v. 20 and MedCalc v14.8.1. A total of 739 households were surveyed. The majority of participants had a secondary level of education (48.71%). A substantial number of participants (over 90%) in all the localities were able to make an accurate association between malaria and mosquito bites. The main sources of information for community members were television sets in Santchou and Tibati and interpersonal conversations in Bertoua and Kaélé. Mosquito nets were the most commonly used protective measure against malaria, and the majority of nets in households came from the free-of-charge mass distribution campaigns organized by the government. Participants with secondary and higher levels of education were more aware of good practices towards malaria control compared to those with a primary level of education. The study revealed that populations’ KAP differed according to localities and culture. More sensitization and education need to be done to improve adherence to prevention programs.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Malaria among People Attending Mekaneeyesus Primary Hospital, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This could lead to poor knowledge score about malaria, which consecutively affects their action towards malaria prevention and control measures. Our findings are consistent with the studies conducted in Indonesia [ 49 ] and Cameroon [ 50 ].…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of dengue prevention between dengue sustained hotspots and non-sustained hotspots in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

“…Specific knowledge involving mosquitoes, such as distance of adult flight and survival of eggs, may not be apparent to residents as this information is usually communicated only if residents specifically asked national public health officers on this. Studies have shown that residents equipped with sufficient mosquito knowledge was essential to effective and timely vector prevention and control programmes 41 – 43 . Dengue outreach could be modified to include mosquito facts, to promote awareness and adherence to proper mosquito preventive measures.…”

Bendiocarb and Malathion Resistance in Two Major Malaria Vector Populations in Cameroon Is Associated with High Frequency of the G119S Mutation (Ace-1) and Overexpression of Detoxification Genes

“…A detailed characteristic of each site is provided in Table 3 . Physical characteristics of sites with superscript ( a ) is published in Kala-Chouakeu et al [ 37 ].…”