%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Malaria and Its Control in Rural Northwest Tanzania
%A Humphrey D. Mazigo
%A Emmanuel Obasy
%A Wilhellmus Mauka
%A Paulina Manyiri
%A Maria Zinga
%A Eliningaya J. Kweka
%A Ladslaus L. Mnyone
%A Jorg Heukelbach
%J Malaria Research and Treatment
%D 2010
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2010/794261
%X 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 ( ) 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 ( ). Knowledge of mosquito breeding areas was also associated with education (illiterate: 22%; literate: 59% ( ). Bed nets were used by 236 (64.5%), and usage was significantly associated with education level ( ). 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. 1. Introduction Malaria is a major public health problem in Tanzania causing an enormous burden to health and economy. In this country, over 95% of the 38 million people are at risk for malaria infection [1]. The disease is responsible for more than one-third of deaths among children under the age of 5 years and for up to one-fifth of deaths among pregnant women [1]. Malaria contributes to 39.4% and 48% of all outpatients less than 5 years of age and aged 5 years and above, respectively [1]. In terms of hospital admissions, malaria accounts for 33.4% of children under the age of 5 years and 42.1% in children aged 5 years and above [1]. In Tanzania, most of the malaria attributable cases and deaths occur in rural villages away from effective diagnostic or treatment facilities. The main focus of malaria control measures in Tanzania includes case management (early diagnosis and prompt treatment with effective drugs), vector control using insecticides treated mosquito nets (ITNs), malaria intermittent treatment in pregnant women, malaria epidemics prevention and control, information, education and communication, and operational research [2]. Despite these strategies, malaria cases and deaths have been
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mrt/2010/794261/