Knowledge, attitude and practices on malaria among the rural communities in Aliero, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective:Families' perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about malaria causation, symptom identification, treatment of malaria, and prevention are often overlooked in malaria control efforts. This study was conducted to understand these issues, which can be an important step towards developing strategies, aimed at controlling malaria.Materials and Methods:A community based descriptive cross-sectional study in four villages: Danwarai, Gehuru, Jiga, and Kashin Zama of Aliero local government area in Kebbi Sate, in northern Nigeria. Two hundred household were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized questionnaire.Results:Knowledge of the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission (11.8%) and cause of malaria (9.6%) was observed to be low among the study population. Comprehensive knowledge about malaria prevention measures was high (90%), but not reflecting in their practice (16%). They have good knowledge of mosquito behavior (breeding areas (64.5%), resting places (70%) and biting time (81%)). Seeking hospital care for a febrile child was a good practice (68.5%) observed. Attitudes regarding the best antimalarial therapy was limited (56.7%) to chloroquine.Conclusions:Misconceptions about malaria transmission and its cause still exist. Knowledge about preventive measures does not necessarily translate into improvement in practices. There is a need for targeted educational programs to increase the communities' efforts to develop desirable attitude and practices regarding malaria and their participation for malaria control.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Malaria and Associated Factors in Areka Town, Southern Ethiopia: Community-Based CrossSectional Study

“…It was observed that about three forth (75.1%) of respondents had correct understanding of mode of transmission of malaria. This finding is comparable with the report from a study in Nigeria in which 74.3% of the study participants has mentioned mosquito bite as mode of malaria transmission [20], and Iran, in which 77.8% of respondents believed that malaria is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes [22], but slightly lower than the report from Tanzania, where 80.2% of the study participants knew that the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes [23], and Botswana where malaria transmission as the result of mosquito bite was mentioned by 93% of the interviewees [21]. However, it is higher when compared with reports from different parts of Ethiopia, where the proportion of respondents that have linked malaria transmission with mosquito bite was about 48% [16,13].…”

“…This finding is higher when compared to the finding from Nigeria, where 65.2% of respondents mentioned fever with shivering as the common symptoms of malaria [20] and that of Botswana, where the proportion of respondents that showed some basic knowledge on signs and symptoms of malaria were 88.7% [21], and the study in Pawe District, North West Ethiopia, in which about 84.7% and 83% of the respondents stated fever and headache respectively as the most common primary symptoms associated with malaria [1]. The current finding, is, however, consistent with the study from Shewa Robit town, Northwestern Ethiopia, where fever and chills were mentioned as symptoms of the disease by 94.4% and 93.3% of the respondents, respectively [16].…”

The Study on the Awareness, Knowledge and Perception of Malaria among Selected Secondary School Students in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria

“…The advocate for the use of insecticide treated net has contributed greatly to the reduction in the reported cases of malaria especially among school children. An increased public awareness and health benefits of the insecticide treated nets have been reported and documented across African indigenous communities [11,12]. Majority of the respondents have seen and slept under treated net which could be connected with the report on the episode of malaria among the subjects.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Among Mothers Towards Insecticide-Treated Nets in Abuharira Village -Um Remta Locality- The White Nile State -2015

“…Worldwide, an estimated half of world populations are at risk of malaria [1]. Malaria is endemic in Africa, with an estimated 80% of cases are almost exclusively due to P. falciparum [2], and 91% of deaths occurred, amongst children and pregnant women.…”

“…Malaria is endemic in Africa, with an estimated 80% of cases are almost exclusively due to P. falciparum [2], and 91% of deaths occurred, amongst children and pregnant women. Children under-five years of age most at risk of infection and adverse outcomes [1], [3].…”