Knowledge and beliefs about malaria transmission and practices for vector control in Southern Mexico

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge and beliefs about malaria transmission and practices for vector control in eight villages on the coastal plain of Chiapas, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during May and June 1995 in Chiapas, Mexico. A questionnaire to investigate family structure, knowledge on malaria transmission, preventive measures and attitudes towards seeking treatment was applied to both family heads of a sample of households. Associations were analyzed by estimating odds ratios with confidence intervals and p values, using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Malaria knowledge was poor and only 48 percent associated malaria with mosquito bites. The perceived benefit of indoor residual spraying was associated to a reduction of mosquitoes, a reduction in the numbers of cockroaches and rats, but only 3 percent associated it directly with the prevention of malaria transmission. Most villagers (97.6 percent) agreed with the indoor residual spraying of insecticides. Ninety nine percent of villagers had mosquito bednets, 75.7 percent used them all year round. Other measures used by villagers to prevent mosquito bites were smoke and mosquito coils. Above 40 percent of villagers self-medicated when any member of the family had a fever episode, but 51 percent attended proper health services (community dispensary, private physician, health worker). About 61 percent used pesticides for agricultural or livestock purposes and 55 percent applied them themselves. Women had a greater participation as family health promoters, with 70 percent of the housewives being in charge of the application of self-protection preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs aimed at increasing awareness on the participation of mosquitoes on malaria transmission could promote community participation in malaria control in the region