Original Research

Knowledge, attitudes and practices in the control and prevention of malaria in four endemic provinces of Zambia

Nzooma M. Shimaponda-Mataa, Enala Tembo-Mwase, Michael Gebreslasie, Samson Mukaratirwa
Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases | Vol 32, No 1 | a67 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajid.v32i1.67 | © 2019 Nzooma M. Shimaponda-Mataa, Enala Tembo-Mwase, Michael Gebreslasie, Samson Mukaratirwa | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 14 May 2019 | Published: 31 March 2017

About the author(s)

Nzooma M. Shimaponda-Mataa, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
Enala Tembo-Mwase, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Michael Gebreslasie, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Samson Mukaratirwa, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

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Abstract

This study sought to determine malaria knowledge levels, attitudes and practices of the communities in four malaria endemic provinces of Zambia. A cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on malaria transmission, prevention and control was conducted among 584 household heads of randomly selected communities in Luapula, Lusaka, north-western and western provinces in Zambia. Data analysis was performed by both descriptive and inferential statistics. Knowledge levels in malaria with regards to the mosquito being the vector and the capacity of malaria to kill were high in all the provinces and did not vary statistically. The two main sources of malaria information by weighted analysis were health facility and community health workers (CHWs). From the regression analysis, pain killer use was associated with high incomes, employment, secondary education, or higher, and the knowledge of fever as a sign for malaria. Additionally, the source of malaria information was related to education levels. There is a need to enhance information through available channels such as health facilities and CHWs and tailor them according to general education levels of a community.

Keywords

attitudes; community; knowledge; malaria; practices; Zambia

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