Evaluation of knowledge on home management of malaria in under-fives among mothers and caregivers in Bende Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State, Nigeria
1 Department of Community Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Surgery, Urology unit, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Anatomic Pathology, Abia State University, Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
4 Department of Pediatrics, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
5 Department of Public Health, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy, 2023, 10(01), 025–036
Article DOI: 10.30574/msabp.2023.10.1.0063
Publication history:
Received on 31 August 2023; revised on 08 October 2023; accepted on 11 October 2023
Abstract:
Background: In Nigeria, pregnant mothers and under-five children are the vulnerable who are most at risk of malarial infections. Despite the presence of numerous accessible health facilities, the community-based home management of childhood fevers remains a very common practice in the country.
Objectives: To evaluate knowledge on home management of malaria in under-fives among mothers and caregivers in Bende LGA, Abia State, Nigeria.
Methods and materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 heads of household Bende LGA. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from participants and was self-administered. Data were cleaned and coded into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Numerical variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation, categorical variables were summarized using frequency and proportions. Chi-Square test was used to test association, p<0.05.
Results: A total of 375 household heads with a response rate of 360 (96.0%) participated in the study with a mean age of 37.2 ± 0.8724, A good number of the participants 136 (37.8%) were in the age range of 35 – 39 years. Majority of them 310 (86.0%) were married. Majority of them 204 (56.6%) had secondary education. One hundred and fifty-eight (43.8%) of them responded that mosquito bite was the cause of malaria. Prevalence of home management of malaria was 117(32.4%) and overall knowledge level of mothers and caregivers was 202 (56.1%). There association between age range, marital status and level of education was statistically significant, p<0.05.
Conclusion: There were several gaps in the participants’ level of knowledge relating to home management of under-five children, however, overall knowledge level of mothers and caregivers was 202 (56.1%) and prevalence of home management was low as majority of the under-fives were taken to the hospital for their management.
Keywords:
Evaluation; Knowledge; Home management; Malaria; Under-fives; Mothers and caregivers; Bende; Abia State; Nigeria
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