Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Behaviours on Malaria Prevention in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

Abstract Background: In Mozambique, the socio-economic and cultural factors influence the wide adoption of disease preventive measures, which is relevant for malaria control strategies that rely on early recognition of disease, prompt seeking of medical care, sleeping under mosquito nets, and taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. However, there is a critical information gap regarding to previous and ongoing malaria Social Behaviour Communication (SBC) interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours of the beneficiaries of SBC interventions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2018 in two rural districts of Zambezia province, Mozambique. A structured questionnaire was administered to 773 randomly selected households. Respondents are the heads of the households, adults above 18 years old. Descriptive statistics were done.Results: The main results show that around 96.4 % respondents recalled hearing about malaria in the previous 6 months and 90.0% had knowledge on malaria prevention and 70.0% on preventive measures ; from 97.7% respondents that received bed nets through the mass bed net distribution campaign, 81.7% slept under a bed net the night before the survey; 70.5 % recognized the role of community volunteers in the dissemination of malaria prevention messages; 76.1 % of respondents considered worship places (churches and mosques) to be the main places where they heard key messages on malaria prevention and 79.1 % asserted that community dialogue sessions helped them better understand how to prevent malaria.Conclusions: Results show that the volunteers/activists/teachers have played an important role in the dissemination of key malaria prevention messages which brought the following successes: community actors are recognized and people have knowledge on malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and where to get treatment. There is room for improvement on the SBC messaging regarding some malaria symptoms (anaemia and convulsions); and operational research is needed to ascertain the drivers of malaria prevalence and social and behaviour communication approach.

Download Full-text

Malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Zambezia Province, Mozambique

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03825-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Liliana de Sousa Pinto ◽

Jorge A. H. Arroz ◽

Maria do Rosário O. Martins ◽

Zulmira Hartz ◽

Nuria Negrao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preventive Measures ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Insecticide Treated Nets ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Prevention Messages

Abstract Background In Mozambique, socio-economic and cultural factors influence the wide adoption of disease preventive measures that are relevant for malaria control strategies to promote early recognition of disease, prompt seeking of medical care, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), and taking intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women. However, there is a critical information gap regarding previous and ongoing malaria social and behavioural change (SBC) interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices of beneficiaries of SBC interventions. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2018 in two rural districts of Zambezia Province, Mozambique. A structured questionnaire was administered to 773 randomly selected households. Respondents were the adult heads of the households. Descriptive statistics were done. Results The main results show that 96.4% of respondents recalled hearing about malaria in the previous 6 months, 90.0% had knowledge of malaria prevention, and 70.0% of preventive measures. Of the 97.7% respondents that had received ITNs through a mass ITN distribution campaign, 81.7% had slept under an ITN the night before the survey. In terms of source of health information, 70.5% mentioned the role of community volunteers in dissemination of malaria prevention messages, 76.1% of respondents considered worship places (churches and mosques) to be the main places where they heard key malaria prevention messages, and 79.1% asserted that community dialogue sessions helped them better understand how to prevent malaria. Conclusions Results show that volunteers/activists/teachers played an important role in dissemination of key malaria prevention messages, which brought the following successes: community actors are recognized and people have knowledge of malaria transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures, and where to get treatment. There is, however, room for improvement on SBC messaging regarding some malaria symptoms (anaemia and convulsions) and operational research is needed to ascertain the drivers of malaria prevalence and inform the SBC approach.

Download Full-text

Malaria Prevention and Mothers: Sudan

Basic and Applied Sciences - Scientific Journal of King Faisal University ◽

10.37575/b/med/2384 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yousif Elmosaad ◽

Ahmed Al Rajeh ◽

Asif khan ◽

Elfatih Malik ◽

Ilias Mahmud

Keyword(s):

Formal Education ◽

Effective Means ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Positive Attitudes

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in malaria prevention using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) among mothers of children under five years of age in White Nile State, Sudan. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select 761 mothers for this cross-sectional survey. There were gaps in the KAP in malaria prevention. Only 46.3% of the mothers stated personal protective measures (PPMs) as the best malaria prevention strategy; 54.9% considered ITNs as an effective means; and only 18.7% reported sleeping under an ITN every day. Older mothers were less likely to have good knowledge (OR=0.96), attitudes (OR=0.98) and practices (OR=0.98). Having a Government employee as the head of the household was positively associated with knowledge (OR=2.16) and attitudes (OR=1.96). The mother having a formal education was also positively associated with good knowledge (OR=1.55) and positive attitudes (OR=1.69). Mothers with a monthly household income of <491 Sudanese Pound were more likely to have good knowledge (OR=1.43). Mothers who had good knowledge (OR=4.99) and positive attitudes towards PPMs (OR=2.60) in malaria prevention were found to be more likely to practice preventive measures. Therefore, we recommend focusing on raising mothers’ awareness of the different preventive activities to protect them and their family from malaria.

Download Full-text

Cross-Study of Malaria Prevalence in History, Bed Net Utilization, and Knowledge about the Disease among Tanzanian College Students

Malaria Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2018/8137051 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Yakobo Nyahoga ◽

Zanda Bochkaeva

Keyword(s):

Malaria Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Malaria Prevalence ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Bed Net ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University Campuses ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Two Factors

University campuses are potential reservoirs of infectious diseases, but they are not in the research focus. It is obvious that the use of malaria preventive tools is extremely necessary in campus conditions in endemic countries. This study is the first malaria survey, conducted in a student campus in Tanzania. This cross-sectional study uncovered a surprisingly high prevalence of malaria history among students: 89,4% of 246 random respondents assume that they had malaria in history, among whom 145 (58,9%) suffered from the disease during the last year. And although students are relatively confident about the vector, parasite, and prevention measures of the disease, only 44,7% of the students use bed nets and 4,5% use a body spray or ointment daily. The others seldom use spray or ointment or do not care about the problem at all. This situation was found to be associated with two factors, financial and educational. Current results show that students are relatively educated on malaria, but they do not follow the malaria prevention guidance. It has become clear that at least proper informational propaganda of bed net use is required in Tanzanian university campuses.

Download Full-text

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

Malaria Research and Treatment ◽

10.4061/2010/794261 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Humphrey D. Mazigo ◽

Emmanuel Obasy ◽

Wilhellmus Mauka ◽

Paulina Manyiri ◽

Maria Zinga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indoor Residual Spraying ◽

Education Level ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Bed Net ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Household Heads ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

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.

Download Full-text

Pregnant Women and Malaria Preventive Measures: A Case of Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/6150172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Abdul Rauf Alhassan

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventive Practice ◽

Study Participants ◽

Tamale Teaching Hospital

Background. In Saharan Africa, an estimated 25 million pregnancies are all at risk of malaria every year, with substantial morbidity and death effects for both the mother and the fetus. Aim. To investigate the use of malaria preventive measures among pregnant women patronizing antenatal services of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methodology. This study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 250 participants. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Graphs and tables were used to present the study data. Bivariate analysis was done using Chi-square use to determine the relationships and binary logistics regression used for identification of predictor variables. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 30.0 ± 4.5 years and most of them (73.0%) were within the age group of 25–35 years. Respondents’ favorable knowledge, a favorable attitude, and favorable practice were 78.0%, 62.0%, and 57.6%, respectively. And the following variables were associated with malaria preventive practice: age of the respondent (X2 = 6.276, P = 0.043 ), religion (X2 = 6.904, P = 0.032 ), level of education (X2 = 41.482, P < 0.001 ), employment status (X2 = 20.533, P < 0.001 ), monthly income (X2 = 21.838, P < 0.001 ), and attitude level towards malaria prevention (X2 = 35.885, P < 0.001 ). Further analysis revealed educational level and attitude level as predictors of malaria preventive practice. Conclusion. This study recorded favorable knowledge, attitude, and practice with regards to malaria prevention among more than half of the study participants.

Download Full-text

Elderly individuals living by themselves: knowledge and measures to prevent the novel coronavirus

Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/1518-8345.4675.3383 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

Author(s):

Darlene Mara dos Santos Tavares ◽

Nayara Gomes Nunes Oliveira ◽

Gianna Fiori Marchiori ◽

Mariana Silva Freitas Guimarães ◽

Lenniara Pereira Mendes Santana

Keyword(s):

Preventive Measures ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Novel ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Objective: to describe the occurrence of COVID-19 and the health services used by elderly individuals living by themselves; identify the knowledge held by elderly individuals regarding the transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as factors associated with poor knowledge of preventive measures according to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method: cross-sectional survey conducted by telephone or mobile with 123 elderly individuals living by themselves in the Health Macro-Region of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Descriptive analysis was performed along with bivariate and multiple linear regression (p<0.05). Results: most elderly individuals did not present COVID-19 signs and symptoms (97.5%), were aware of how it is transmitted (86.6%), and of its signs and symptoms (90.8%). The elderly individuals were familiar with four preventive measures on average. After social distancing began, 85.7% of them left home and implemented three preventive measures on average, the most frequent of which was the use of face masks (99.0%). Being a man (p=0.001), 80 years old or older (p=0.045), and having fewer years of schooling (p=0.010) were associated with having less knowledge regarding the COVID-19 preventive measures. Conclusion: the elderly individuals were knowledgeable on COVID-19, but did not implement all the preventive measures. Male elderly individuals living by themselves with a low educational level are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Preventive Measures Against The Vectors Of Malaria In Akanda, Southwest Gabon: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, And Beliefs

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2021.v17n21p169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 169

Author(s):

Richard Pamba ◽

Silas Lendzele Sevidzem ◽

Aubin Armel Koumba ◽

Christophe Roland Zinga-Koumba ◽

Audrey Prisca Melodie Ovono ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preventive Measures ◽

Indoor Residual Spraying ◽

Malaria Vectors ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Literacy Rate ◽

Beliefs And Practices ◽

Age Cohorts ◽

Insecticide Treated Bed Nets

Background: Reliable data on the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices (KABP) of the indigenes of Akanda and its environs on the different approaches to fight against vectors of malaria is lacking. Objective: To evaluate the KABP of the indigenes of Akanda and its environs on the different techniques used to fight against vectors of malaria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted on heads of randomly selected households at Akanda from April to June 2019. Results: We interviewed 369 heads of households and the population had a high literacy rate. It was noticed that 94% of respondents knew that mosquitoes could transmit malaria. More than 80% believed that Insecticide-Treated bed Nets (ITNs) could protect them from malaria infection. There was no preference in ITNs usage with age cohorts and seasons of the year. The ITNs owned by respondents were mostly purchased from shops. Respondents underlined that their reluctance to sleep under ITNs was because of their inability to breath under such conditions. Also, apart from the use of ITNs for malaria control, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) using insecticides (mostly Rambo®) purchased from shops and cleaning around house surroundings were practiced by >50% of respondents. Conclusion: Despite respondent’s awareness of mosquitoes as vectors of malaria as well as the use of ITNs, IRS, and cleaning of home surroundings to reduce malaria vectors burden, the ITNs coverage rate is very weak and more sensitization is also required at Akanda in Gabon.

Download Full-text

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue infection among parents of children hospitalized for dengue fever

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20181509 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 893 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Srinivasa S. ◽

Harish S. ◽

Shruthi Patel ◽

Ranganatha A. Devaranavadagi ◽

Bhavya G. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dengue Fever ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Dengue Infection ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

Health Care Burden ◽

And Behavior

Background: Dengue fever is a rapidly emergent infection and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and health care burden in India. Dengue vectors, human knowledge and behavior have each been reported to play an important role in the transmission of the disease. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge regarding dengue fever, its transmission, identification of the disease and its complications and its preventive measures among the parents.Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional survey among parents of dengue patients admitted in Department of Pediatrics, KIMS Bangalore during a period of 6 months. Parents were interviewed with pre-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into 4 parts-knowledge on 1) transmission, 2) signs and symptoms, 3) attitude towards the illness and 4) practices of prevention and treatment.Results: Overall 195 individuals were interviewed. 7% were illiterate while 17% had a college degree. 91% individuals knew mosquito as the vector, 32% identified clear stagnant water as the breeding place. 88% identified fever as a symptom while 22% knew about bleeding manifestations. 71% felt dengue as a severe disease and 84% had a positive attitude towards consulting a doctor for the illness. 58% relied on mats and coils for personal protection followed by bed nets (12%). Majority of the awareness was through television followed by radio and newspapers.Conclusions: It is of utmost significance to identify barriers to action and to seek ways to translate the knowledge of population about dengue into positive preventive practices that would ultimately reduce the transmission of dengue fever in the community.

Download Full-text

The protective effectiveness of control interventions for malaria prevention: a systematic review of the literature

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.12952.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 1932 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Thomas Kesteman ◽

Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia ◽

Christophe Rogier

Keyword(s):

Intermittent Preventive Treatment ◽

Indoor Residual Spraying ◽

Preventive Treatment ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Only Children ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

Protective Effectiveness

Background: Thanks to a considerable increase in funding, malaria control interventions (MCI) whose efficacy had been demonstrated by controlled trials have been largely scaled up during the last decade. Nevertheless, it was not systematically investigated whether this efficacy had been preserved once deployed on the field. Therefore, we sought the literature to assess the disparities between efficacy and effectiveness and the effort to measure the protective effectiveness (PE) of MCI. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for references with keywords related to malaria, to control interventions for prevention and to study designs that allow for the measure of the PE against parasitemia or against clinical outcomes. Results: Our search retrieved 1423 references, and 162 articles were included in the review. Publications were scarce before the year 2000 but dramatically increased afterwards. Bed nets was the MCI most studied (82.1%). The study design most used was a cross-sectional study (65.4%). Two thirds (67.3%) were conducted at the district level or below, and the majority (56.8%) included only children even if the MCI didn’t target only children. Not all studies demonstrated a significant PE from exposure to MCI: 60.6% of studies evaluating bed nets, 50.0% of those evaluating indoor residual spraying, and 4/8 showed an added PE of using both interventions as compared with one only; this proportion was 62.5% for intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, and 20.0% for domestic use of insecticides. Conclusions: This review identified numerous local findings of low, non-significant PE –or even the absence of a protective effect provided by these MCIs. The identification of such failures in the effectiveness of MCIs advocates for the investigation of the causes of the problem found. Ideal evaluations of the PE of MCIs should incorporate both a large representativeness and an evaluation of the PE stratified by subpopulations.

Download Full-text

Malaria Perceptions among Medicine Vendors in Buea Community: An Assessment of Knowledge of Malaria and Conditions of Antimalarial Drug Dispensing

INNOVATIONS in pharmacy ◽

10.24926/iip.v10i3.1381 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Marcelus U. Ajonina ◽

Kenric B. Ware ◽

Deodata B. Ngonga ◽

Raphael A. Abong ◽

Carine K Nfor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Malaria Prevention ◽

Bed Nets ◽

Causative Organism ◽

Original Research ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Routine Monitoring ◽

Dispensing Practices ◽

Insecticide Treated Bed Nets

Background: Lack of knowledge of rational use of antimalarial drugs among medicine vendors is a serious problem, notably in areas of intense transmission. These misunderstandings increase the risks of resistance and adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to assess knowledge of malaria and environments wherein medicine vendors dispense antimalarials in the Buea community. Methods: Administration of a community-based cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 140 medicine vendors living within the Buea community occurred between March and June 2017. The survey sought to obtain information from medicine vendors on their general knowledge of malaria as well as their dispensing practices. Statistically significant findings were associated with p ≤ .05. Results: The majority of participants were aware that use of insecticide – treated bed nets (ITNs) and maintenance of a clean environment equate to effective malaria prevention efforts. Alternatively, only one-third of participants correctly attributed the causative organism of malaria to being protozoan. Participants employed within drugstore settings had less knowledge of malaria than their hospital/community counterparts did. A directly proportional relationship existed between the amount of experience that participants had in their respective disciplines with an increased knowledge of malaria overall. Conclusion: These findings reveal fluctuating knowledge of malaria among study participants. Reported antimalarial dispensing practices also warrants room for improvement. Routine monitoring and evaluation to prevent emergence of resistant strains to current efficacious antimalarials remains paramount. Article Type: Original Research

Download Full-text