ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially among children less than five years in the Akwapim North Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Knowledge of community members in malaria is a major factor that can influence malaria prevention and control. In 2012, the municipality was enrolled onto the home-based management of malaria programme in the region using the community based health volunteers. We assessed the knowledge and level of understanding of the people about the disease prior to the introduction. This is to enhance the control of malaria in the Municipality. Methods: A cross sectional study involving 616 adults, were selected from households using a simple random selection method. Information on age, marital status, levels of education, occupation, awareness, knowledge and perceptions on malaria were obtained using a questionnaire. Univariate analyses were expressed as frequencies, percentages and means. Bivariate analysis ascertained the relationship between gender, age, educational level and knowledge on prevention of malaria (p<0.05). Results: Among the 616 respondents, 58.6 % were females. The median age was 33.0 years old (range 14-81). Respondent’s awareness of malaria was 96.7% but rather a poor knowledge of malaria etiology (1.6%). 64.2% of the respondents knew that mosquitoes transmit malaria. Knowledge on the classical symptoms of uncomplicated malaria was moderate (7.6 – 48.7%). The respondent’s knowledge of danger signs of severe malaria was low (5.6-16.2%). Myths regarding causes of malaria such as filth, flies were mentioned by 20.9% and 4.2% of the respondents. 81% perceived malaria is preventable and the use of an insecticide treated bed net among respondents was 39.0%. Females were more likely (p-value 0.003) to have more knowledge on prevention of malaria. Conclusion: Although awareness of malaria in the Akwapim North Municipality is high, there is a serious knowledge gap in identifying the dangers signs associated with the disease. Many community members do agree that malaria is preventable but still harbour myths regarding its etiology. Health education should therefore be reviewed and intensified in the communities.
ABSTRACT
Seroepidemiological data are becoming important tools in determining transmission patterns of malaria. We have undertaken a study in 2 different ecological zones in southern Ghana during both the dry and wet seasons. Virtually all the subjects studied were positive to the crude parasite antigen (92); with majority showing high titres in both areas. Whilst there was a statistical difference in Geometrical Mean Titre (GMT) between the two areas; seasonal variation was not seen. Antibody levels to the Pfl55/RESA and its repeat pepetide (EENV)6 increased progres notsively with age in endemic areas. These findings have relevance in determining malaria transmission in endemic areas
Subject(s)
Malaria , Plasmodium falciparum , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
A serological study was carried out in three rural communities in Southern Ghana in order to determine the optimal age for measles immunization. The live hyperattenuated measles vaccine (Schwarz strain) was inoculated subcutaneously into infants aged three to eleven months. The maternal measles antibodies in the infants started decreasing after 7 months; while the seroconversion rate after the immunization was increasing after 6 months. Forty seven infants were given the measles vaccines at the age of 7 months. The seroconversion rate was 91.5 per cent. There were no side effects. These results indicate that measles immunization can be administered effectively at the age of 7 months