ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most serious public health problems in Kenya. Pregnant women are among the groups with the highest risk of malaria. Use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) is a cost-effective method of controlling malaria. Despite this, there is low utilisation of ITNs among pregnant women in Kilifi district which is an endemic malaria zone. OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge, attitude and practice on the use of ITNs in the prevention of malaria among pregnant women in Kilifi district. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: The district hospital and the five health centres in Kilifi district SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twenty pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) between October and December 2007. RESULTS: Knowledge on malaria illness and ITNs was high with majority of pregnant women having adequate level of knowledge (86.9%). There was significant association between level of education and adequate knowledge (P-value = 0.010). Good attitude on ITNs use was low. There was no association between good attitude and any of the socio-demographic variables. The majority of pregnant women attending ANC owned ITNs (75.4%). ITNs usage was high (70.5%). There was significant association between religion and good practice (p-value = 0.050). Although adequate level of knowledge on malaria and protective role of ITNs was high, there was no association between knowledge with practice and attitude. CONCLUSION: Before any malaria preventive intervention is implemented in an area, different socio-cultural factors must be considered when behavioural interventions for malaria control are designed and implemented. Targeted health education should be disseminated to the community to remove stigma and misconceptions associated with ITNs. Community concerns and fears should be addressed.
Subject(s)
Bedding and Linens/statistics & numerical data , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Insecticide-Treated Bednets , Malaria/prevention & control , Mosquito Control/methods , Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals, District , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Kenya , Logistic Models , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Pregnancy , Prenatal Care/methods , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultSubject(s)
Bedding and Linens , Insecticides/administration & dosage , Malaria/prevention & control , Mosquito Control , Animals , Bedding and Linens/economics , Bedding and Linens/supply & distribution , Community Health Planning , Healthy People Programs , Humans , Insect Vectors , Mosquito Control/economicsABSTRACT
A study was carried out to determine the range of antimalarial drugs stocked and also to determine the knowledge and practice patterns of shopkeepers and their customers on antimalarial products stocked and bought. It was hoped that the information thus obtained could be used to improve the selling and buying practices and hence contribute positively to malaria control. Up to seventeen different brands of antimalarial drugs including thirteen different brands of chloroquine and four different second line drugs were stocked by shopkeepers. A multiplicity of drugs, dosages and combinations were used for treating malaria. Only 38% of the shopkeepers felt they knew enough on the use of the drugs used in the treatment of malaria while 23% of the customers felt they knew enough on the use of the drugs. Most of the respondents wanted to know more on the use of the drugs. Knowledge desired by the shopkeepers included the correct dosage, combination with other drugs and side effects while information needed by the customers was on correct dosage, combination with other drugs as well as adverse effects. The person mentioned by the shopkeepers and the consumers to be in the best position to give the information was the doctor. The dissemination method preferred by the shopkeepers as well as the consumers was the radio.
Subject(s)
Antimalarials/supply & distribution , Commerce , Community Pharmacy Services , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Malaria/drug therapy , Adult , Antimalarials/therapeutic use , Child , Drug Therapy, Combination , Humans , Kenya , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A study of malaria on the Kano Plain, Kisumu District, Western Kenya, was carried out between April and August, 1985. The study included a knowledge, attitudes and practices (K.A.P.) survey on malaria illness and the mosquito vector. Overall knowledge about malaria illness was found to be good. However, treatment and prevention practices of malaria were found to be poor. Knowledge of the mosquito and its relationship to malaria was found to be high. Knowledge of methods of prevention of mosquito bites was also found to be high but actual use of the methods was low. Knowledge of traditional methods of prevention of mosquito bites was also found to be high. Actual use was again found to be low.
