Perceptions and prevention practices on malaria among the indigenous Orang Asli community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Background Malaysia is on track towards malaria elimination. However, several cases of malaria still occur in the country. Contributing factors and communal aspects have noteworthy effects on any malaria elimination activities. Thus, assessing the community’s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards malaria is essential. This study was performed to evaluate KAP regarding malaria among the indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five remote villages (clusters) of Orang Asli located in the State of Kelantan, a central region of the country. Community members aged six years and above were interviewed. Demographic, socio-economic and KAP data on malaria were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 536 individuals from 208 households were interviewed. Household indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bed net ownership were 100% and 89.2%, respectively. A majority of respondents used mosquito bed nets every night (95.1%), but only 50.2% were aware that bed nets were used to prevent malaria. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents (97.9%) were aware that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. Regarding practice for managing malaria, the most common practice adopted by the respondents was seeking treatment at the health facilities (70.9%), followed by self-purchase of medication from a local shop (12.7%), seeking treatment from a traditional healer (10.5%) and self-healing (5.9%). Concerning potential zoonotic malaria, about half of the respondents (47.2%) reported seeing monkeys from their houses and 20.1% reported entering nearby forests within the last 6 months. Conclusion This study found that most populations living in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria. However, positive attitudes and practices concerning managing malaria require marked improvement.

The Role of Human Behavior in Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria Infection: A Systematic Review

“…Beliefs concerning P. knowlesi malaria etiology influenced their attitude, self-efficacy, and ways of coping with antimalarial measures [ 40 ]. A proportion of the community in Indonesia had local supernatural beliefs towards malaria [ 40 ], and this perception was also present among the Orang Asli community in neighboring country, Malaysia [ 50 ]. This signals a gap in disease prevention as communities have different perspectives and beliefs towards malaria.…”

Malaria Cases in a Tertiary Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A 16-Year (2005–2020) Retrospective Review

“…The Malaysian government launched the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan 2011-2020 with the final goal of the complete elimination of locally-acquired malaria (excluding P. knowlesi) in Peninsular Malaysia by 2015 and in East Malaysia by 2020 [10]. The national strategic malaria elimination plan currently outlines seven key actions to achieve the elimination goal, including strengthening malaria surveillance system through an online system, intensifying control activities by indoor residual spray (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITN), ensuring early case investigation, prompt treatment and outbreak management as well as improving community awareness and knowledge of malaria [32]. These concerted efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in overall malaria incidence, particularly P. vivax cases, over the last decade in Malaysia.…”

Anaemia Prevalence, Severity and Associated Risk Factors Among Indigenous Temiar Orang Asli Community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

“…Located approximately 40km from Gua Musang town, the typical climate of the study area is tropical monsoon with temperature ranged between 20°C to 32°C and average annual rainfall between 2,000 mm to 4,000 mm. While the main economic activity was centred on agriculture such as palm oil plantation, the livelihood of the villagers mainly depended on rubber-tapping, labourers, farmers and gathering and selling forest products 23 . Previous studies have shown that this locality experienced high intestinal parasitic infections 24,25 as well as recurrent malaria outbreaks, which possibly related to autochthonous outbreaks of vivax malaria in the neighbouring state 20 .…”

“…A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out between June and July 2019 23 . All indigenous Temiar Orang Asli of both sexes, residing in the study villages and aged one and older were invited to take part in the study.…”

“…For children and adolescents below 18 years old, informed consent was obtained from parents or legal guardians. District healthcare providers and community leaders were purposely involved in the study to facilitate participation and cooperation among the community 23 .…”