KNOWLEDGE ON PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA, AMONG RESIDENTS OF A RURAL COMMUNITY IN ENUGU STATE, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
Abstract
Protozoan parasite, Plasmodium causes malaria. It is transmitted through the bite of Anopheles mosquito. Globally, about 3.2 billion people are at risk of getting infected with malaria. An estimated 214 million new cases of malaria, resulting in about 438,000 deaths were recorded in the year 2015, with the greatest burden being on the African continent. Malaria prevention remains a key approach towards tackling the public health challenge posed by malaria disease. Malaria case management is also key in malaria control/elimination strategy. Case management consists of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. The research was a cross-sectional study carried out among rural dwellers who presented for a medical outreach in January 2015, at Egede town, a rural community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. The socio-demographic variables of the 296 respondents revealed that majority of the respondents were 50 years and above (76.7%), females (70.3%), married (83.1%), had no formal education (53.0%), and are farmers by profession (70.9%). Overall knowledge of respondents on prevention of malaria was 51.1%, while the knowledge on diagnosis and treatment was 24.5%. The first pillar of the WHO "Global technical strategy for malaria, 2016–2030", is to "Ensure universal access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment". Implementation of this pillar requires the creation of awareness about the recommended malaria prevention interventions, diagnostic testing, and correct treatment among people residing in various communities, especially in the rural areas.
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References
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