Knowledge, attitudes and practices about malaria in Cabo Verde: a country in the pre-elimination context

Abstract

Background: Malaria in Cape Verde is unstable, with a sporadic and seasonal transmission of low endemicity. In this sense, the community perceptions regarding malaria transmission, their attitudes and practices against the disease are very important to understand and to better develop the best strategical policies to achieve malaria elimination goal. This study aim to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Cape Verdean population about malaria, a country in the elimination step of disease. Methods: A cross-sectional malaria KAP Survey was performed at the household level. A structured open questionnaire was developed and applied to residents of randomly selected households from 5 islands and 15 municipalities in Cape Verde. Correlation analyses were performed using a logistic regression model to determine the factors that are associated with the complete knowledge of the population about malaria. Results: A total of 1953 fully completed questionnaires were analysed, with majority of questionnaires administered in Santiago island (68.3%), mainly in the capital city of Praia, 38.43%. About 88% of the population knew the correct form of transmission, 96% had knowledge that the entire population is at risk of malaria and identified the main symptoms. Regarding the attitudes, 58% seek treatment atthe nearest health structure upon the apparition of the symptoms, 64% in the first 24 h and 88% within the first 48 h. More than 97% have heard about mosquito nets but only 19% used it. In practice, 53% use coils, 45% rely on household sprays and 43% have benefited from IRS. About 90% received information about malaria from media, mainly the TV and the radio (83 and 43%, respectively). In summary, 54% of the population has complete knowledge of the disease. Conclusion: The population of Cape Verde has a high level of knowledge about malaria, including its transmission, main symptoms and preventive and control measures. However, some gaps and misunderstandings have been noticed and contribute to the insufficient community involvement in actions against malaria. Therefore, is necessary to increase the knowledge of the population, leading to their full ownership and participation in community actions to contribute to the malaria elimination in the country.

Malaria Prevalence and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Malaria among Febrile Patients Attending Chagni Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Respondents also mentioned that the most common source of information about malaria was mass media (86.1%) followed by health facility (13.9%), suggesting that they are essential channels to deliver malaria-related information to the community. This is congruent with those previously reported results from Africa, in which over 90% of individuals in malaria endemic areas are aware of malaria and that media (television and radio) and health education by health facilities are the most commonly cited source of malaria information sources [29,30].…”

“…Similar results were found from different KAP studies in other regions of Ethiopia [11,13,31,33]. Interestingly, large majority of subjects linked mosquito biting time during night time and their main breed sites to stagnant water, which is comparable with previous studies in Ethiopia and elsewhere [29,[33][34]. This correct understanding of mosquito behavior among participants of the present study is encouraging to implement appropriate malaria preventive measures and for the proper utilization of ITNs.…”

“…This was further substantiated by the observation that about 91.4% of participants sought treatment at health facilities, suggestive of a good practice of treatment-seeking behavior at health structures. The same has been reported in Ethiopia and elsewhere [29,37,38], with majority of studies relating high malaria treatment-seeking behavior at health facilities. Yet, few subjects responded that they rely on the use of self-administered drugs and traditional medicines, common practices in parts of Africa [11,30,39].…”

“…Mosquito bite has been identified as the principal malaria transmission as shown in some studies in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa [11,13,29,[31][32]. In Ethiopia, regular practice of awareness creation in the communities about health issues through health extension workers and mass media has brought remarkable behavioral change in the control and prevention of communicable diseases.…”

Study on the Development Strategy of Airport Economy in Dalian

“…Railway and the North, Northeast railway network linked; road line extending in all directions; Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport opened hundreds of international and domestic routes, is the largest in Northeast China's air cargo base. Dalian has been formed in water, land, air and complete three-dimensional traffic system [3].…”