A study of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding malaria among inhabitants of Ezinihite LGA, Imo State, eastern Nigeria
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Date
2017
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National Open University, Zimbabew
Abstract
Accurate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the individuals of a community remain vital to
effective malaria control. The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding
malaria among respondents in selected communities of Ezinihite L.G.A. of Imo State using
structured questionnaires. Four communities in Ezinihite L.G.A with indigenous malaria cases
were randomly selected. All the household heads were visited prior to the study. A total of 443
respondents from the four communities participated. Sociodemographic data showed that the
respondents were of different age groups and educational, marital, and occupational status. The
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) studies regarding the infection showed that there
was a high level of knowledge on the causative agent of malaria (65.01%). Many respondents
resorted to self-medication (42.0%). On different symptoms of malaria, 65.68% reported fever as
a major symptom of malaria. Regarding treatment, a good number (55.08%) visited patent drug
stores for treatment of malaria. A few of the respondents (37.47%) used mosquito treated nets.
Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices
of respondents in this study about malaria were moderate but in general need to be improved
upon with proper educational programs.
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Keywords
Malaria, practices, attitudes, KAP
Citation
Knowledge, attitude. malaria