Knowledge, attitudes and practices about malaria in an urban community in south-western Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of vector borne diseases Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 155 - 159
• Main Authors: Adedotun, A A, Morenikeji, O A, Odaibo, A B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Indian Council of Medical Research 01.09.2010; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antimalarials; Attitude to Health; Care and treatment; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnosis; Educational Status; Family Characteristics; Female; Health attitudes; Health surveys; Households; Humans; Infant; Infection Control; insecticide-treated nets; Knowledge; Malaria; Malaria - prevention & control; Malaria - psychology; Malaria - therapy; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Public health; Social aspects; south-west Nigeria; Studies; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Health; Young Adult; Nigeria
• ISSN: 0972-9062

Oyo is an urban community in Oyo state of south-western Nigeria and it is holoendemic for malaria. Information was collected on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of inhabitants of Oyo town in relation to malaria. A cross-sectional survey of 192 households with the aid of self- or researcher-administered questionnaires was carried out to identify factors associated with the disease in the area. About 93.2% (n=192) of respondents recognized mosquito bites as the cause of malaria. A small proportion of children (13.7%) and adults (5.3%) received prompt treatment; however, more adults (65.8%) got correct dosage of antimalarials than children (38.7%). About 90% of suspected malaria cases in children and adults were first treated at home with local herbs or drugs, purchased from medicine stores. The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was scarce as only 16.7% of households used them for their children. Other reported malaria prevention methods include the use of insecticides (79.7%) and herbs (44.3%). In all, 17 (8.9%) of households did not have screening nets on their windows and 6.3% of 175 households with screening nets on their windows had rusty and torn nets. The level of education of heads of households was a strong predictor of positive malaria-related KAP. Window types and environmental hygiene were associated with prevalence of malaria in households. The control of malaria cannot be achieved without full involvement of the affected communities; the available tools for control can only be effective and sustainable if the local communities are mobilized and empowered with knowledge. It is suggested that health education campaigns be intensified; chemist shop-keepers and mothers being important target groups.