A knowledge-preception-behaviour study on malaria in two island villages and two timber extraction camps in Tanintharyi Division

ABSTRACT

<A> malaria related knowledge-perception-behaviour study was undertaken in January 1989 in Pu-law-ton-tone (8 km from Kaw-thaung) and Pan-zin (10 km from Myeik) villages by interviewing heads ofn household, and in Han-ka-dine (western coast in Boke-pyin township) and Nam-ton (eastern border in Kaw-thaung township) timber camps by questioning the personnel concerned. In both the villages, more than 85 per cent of the respondents had none or low level of knowledge concerning biting position and breeding places of Anopheles mosquito, cause of malaria, awareness of chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy against malaria. However, in comparison with the latter respondents, the former knew less significantly about the biting time of mosquito, and spread mof malaria; and perceived less significantly on susceptibility, severity, and controllability of malaria, benefits of selected antimalarial control measures. The greater number of people in Pu-law-ton-tone relied malaria treatment on general medical practitioners (37 per cent) and self-medication (29 per cent), while those in Pan-zin on Community Health Worker (38 per cent) and midwife (29 per cent). Similarly, the patterns of lack and difference in knowledge and perception on malaria between Han-ka-dine and Nam-ton timber workers were comparable to those seen in the two villages. The causes of dis-similarity in knowledge and perception on malaria between the villages and the camps and the facts to be emphasized in providing health education are discussed.