Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Malaria and Its Control in Rural Northwest Tanzania

Abstract

Background. We assessed community knowledge, attitudes, and practices on malaria as well as acceptability to indoor residual spraying. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional survey was done in a community in Geita district (northwest Tanzania). Household heads (n = 366) were interviewed Results. Knowledge on malaria transmission, prevention, and treatment was reasonable; 56% of respondents associated the disease with mosquito bites, with a significant difference between education level and knowledge on transmission (P < .001). Knowledge of mosquito breeding areas was also associated with education (illiterate: 22%; literate: 59% (P < .001). Bed nets were used by 236 (64.5%), and usage was significantly associated with education level (P < .01). The level of bed net ownership was 77.3%. Most respondents (86.3%) agreed with indoor residual spraying of insecticides. Health facilities were the first option for malaria treatment by 47.3%. Artemether-lumefantrine was the most common antimalarial therapy used. Conclusions. Despite reasonable knowledge on malaria and its preventive measures, there is a need to improve availability of information through proper community channels. Special attention should be given to illiterate community members. High acceptance of indoor residual spraying and high level of bed net ownership should be taken as an advantage to improve malaria control.

Evaluation of the use of Intermittent Preventive Therapy and Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets for Malaria Prevalence among Pregnant Women in Nkpor, Nigeria

“…This contrast with the findings of Merchant et al who stated that marital status, educational qualification and household socio-economic status were not associated with second dose of SP. From the study, it was seen that the level of education among pregnant women tend to increase the compliance rate of LLINs usage, this is in accordance with studies on malaria carried out in other parts of Africa [12]. This also supports the assertion of Tresserras et al [13] that high literacy level is needed to function adequately in the society and that literacy empowers the people to accept health-related information or ideas.…”

Malaria knowledge and treatment adherence in a Brazilian Amazon community

“…Corroborating the results of this research, several studies in different regions concluded that patients somehow recognize the signs and symptoms of malaria as well as its mode of transmission and prevention [24][25][26][27][28][29]. In a recent study developed in Colombia, the authors found that most of the participants had a high level of knowledge about malaria [30].…”

Oyo State Students and Malaria Management

“…This finding does not correspond with another research that reported 40.1% respondents visited hospital for the treatment of malaria [9] , as well as the 2010 study carried out in Tanzania, which found out that health facilities were the first option for malaria treatment as said by 47.3% respondents. [5] During the last diagnosis of malaria, 16.1% of the students used ACT mainly artemether and lumefantrine, while 6.1% used Non-ACT mainly sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar), with certain 1.8% reported to have used chloroquine. This is related to the findings of the Tanzanian research that reported artemetherlumefantrine was the most common antimalarial therapy used.…”

“…The scientific benefit of this study is thus to find out if there are truly misconceptions about this disease and its management in this group of people, as assessed in a 2011 study among migrant farmers. [5] …”

“…[4] Furthermore, the research on knowledge, attitudes and practices about malaria and its control in Tanzania, reported that artemether-lumefantrine was the most common antimalarial therapy used and health facilities were the first option for malaria treatment as said by 47.3% respondents. [5] In Colombia, a study published in 2014 on knowledge, attitudes and practices of malaria, stated that 89.3% respondents said malaria can be cured using tablets. Respondents stated fever, headache and chills were stated 52.8%, 17.8% and 15.0% respectively as malaria symptoms.…”