Malaria Prevalence and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Malaria among Febrile Patients Attending Chagni Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Ethiopia has achieved remarkable progresses in the prevention and control of malaria in the past decades, yet it is a formidable health concern and socio-economic impediment. This study aimed at assessing the magnitude and knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria among febrile patients attending Chagni health center, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: In the health facility based cross-sectional study, patients attending health center with suspicion of malaria symptoms and signs, were enlisted. To determine the magnitude of malaria, finger prick blood samples were collected from malaria suspected patients visiting health center between September 2017 and February 2018. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was also applied to assess KAP of suspected malaria patients attending the health center. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Prevalence of malaria among febrile patients attending at the sampled health facility was 7.3%. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infection accounted for 55, 44.3 and 0.7% of the cases, respectively. This study also revealed that 97% of the respondents had ever heard about malaria and recognized it as a serious health problem. Mosquito bite was identified as the main malaria transmission. Taking drug (86.3%), use of mosquito nets (73.3%), drain stagnated water (68%), and house spay with insecticides (66%) were mentioned as the main malaria prevention methods. Mosquito net coverage and its utilization in the previous night were 98% and 75%, respectively. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage was 99%, of which 77.5% of houses of participants were get sprayed in the last six months. Conclusions: The current study revealed that prevalence of malaria among febrile illnesses in the study area was relatively low (7.3%) with a high proportion of P. falciparum. Besides, participants had adequate knowledge, encouraging attitudes, and good practices about prevention and control of malaria. However, some misconceptions on malaria disease, its transmission, and prevention have been noted that actually require due attention by the concerned stakeholders. We believe that findings of this study would make inroads into the implementation effective malaria interventions in the area and beyond focusing on enhancing community awareness and scaling up coverage of evidence-based interventions.

Malaria prevalence and risk factors among patients visiting Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

“…The malaria prevalence found in this study 20.7% (91/439) was lower compared to studies conducted in different parts of the world, including various areas of Nigeria (35.7%, 419/1173) [ 25 ], India (36.6%) [ 26 ], Malaysia (33.6%, 410/1222) [ 27 ], and Kenya (28%, 325/1158) [ 28 ]. It is also comparable to findings from Rwanda (22.8%, 175/769) [ 29 ], East Shewa Ethiopia (20.5%, 170/830) [ 30 ], Arba Minch South Ethiopia (22.1%, 60/271) [ 31 ], and much higher compared to studies from North-West Ethiopia (7.3%, 296/4077), (3.5%, 26/735) [ 32 , 33 ]. These variations may be due to the differences in the geographical location and climate conditions of the study areas.…”

Prevalence of Malaria and Associated Risk Factors among the Community of Mizan-Aman Town and Its Catchment Area in Southwest Ethiopia

“…The malaria prevalence found in this study (21.1%, 87/412) was lower than other studies conducted in different parts of the world, such as various areas of Nigeria((82.72%, 426/515), (64.9%, 227/350), (51%, 51/100), (41.6%, 106/255), (35.7%, 419/1173)), India (22-26, 36.6%), Malaysia (33.6%, 410/1222) [ 27 , 28 ], Kenya (325/1158, 28%), Rwanda (22.8%, 175/769) [ 29 ], East Wollega Ethiopia (21.2%, 26679/125917)(49.4%, 156/316) [ 18 , 31 ], North-Western Ethiopia (32.6%, 33,43/102520),(29.0%, 61/210)), South Ethiopia (28.1%, 91/324 ) [ 32 , 33 ], [ 17 ], East Shewa Ethiopia (20.5%, 170/830)(25%, 204/810) [ 34 , 35 ], and Arba Minch South Ethiopia (22.1%, 60/271) [ 36 ] and significantly higher than studies from West Ethiopia (10.2%, 51/498) [ 37 ], South Ethiopia (6.1%, 28/461) [ 39 , 40 ], and North-West Ethiopia(7.3%, 296/4077), (3.5%, 26/735). These variances could be related to differences in geographical location and climate conditions of the study participants.…”