Community Knowledge and Behaviour Gaps in Malaria Management: Implications for Malaria Control in High-Burden Settings in Nigeria
1
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic and Applied Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2
2Research and Development Department, Otabel Biomedical Solutions Ltd, Bauchi, Nigeria
3
3Molecular Genetics and Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University & Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria
4
4Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences,, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
5
5Young Researchers Network, Otabel Biomedical Solutions Ltd, Bauchi, Nigeria
6
6Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria
7
7Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria
8
8Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
9
9Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
10
10Research and Public Policy, Department of Political Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial proportion of the global malaria burden.1-4 Effective malaria control depends not only on the availability of interventions but also on community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding prevention and management.5-10 Studies assessing malaria-related KAP have highlighted persistent gaps in community understanding and practices.11-15 This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria management among residents of Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 respondents using a pre-tested, self-structured questionnaire. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria transmission, symptoms and prevention, attitudes towards malaria treatment and prevention, and preventive and treatment-seeking practices, including the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings, while associations between socio-demographic variables and malaria knowledge were assessed using inferential statistics.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed notable gaps in malaria-related knowledge and attitudes. Only 23.6% of respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge of malaria, while 35.6% exhibited positive attitudes toward malaria treatment and prevention. Although over half of the participants (55.1%) recognised that malaria is preventable, misconceptions regarding transmission, symptom recognition, and treatment adherence were common. No statistically significant association was observed between malaria knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite a general awareness of malaria and its severity, significant deficiencies persist in community knowledge and preventive practices in Sabon Gari LGA. These findings emphasise the need for targeted health education interventions, strengthened community engagement, and improved access to malaria prevention and treatment services. The study provides evidence to inform policymakers and public health practitioners in designing context-specific strategies to enhance malaria control and contribute to malaria elimination efforts in endemic settings.
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial proportion of the global malaria burden.1-4 Effective malaria control depends not only on the availability of interventions but also on community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding prevention and management.5-10 Studies assessing malaria-related KAP have highlighted persistent gaps in community understanding and practices.11-15 This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria management among residents of Sabon Gari Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 respondents using a pre-tested, self-structured questionnaire. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria transmission, symptoms and prevention, attitudes towards malaria treatment and prevention, and preventive and treatment-seeking practices, including the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings, while associations between socio-demographic variables and malaria knowledge were assessed using inferential statistics.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed notable gaps in malaria-related knowledge and attitudes. Only 23.6% of respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge of malaria, while 35.6% exhibited positive attitudes toward malaria treatment and prevention. Although over half of the participants (55.1%) recognised that malaria is preventable, misconceptions regarding transmission, symptom recognition, and treatment adherence were common. No statistically significant association was observed between malaria knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite a general awareness of malaria and its severity, significant deficiencies persist in community knowledge and preventive practices in Sabon Gari LGA. These findings emphasise the need for targeted health education interventions, strengthened community engagement, and improved access to malaria prevention and treatment services. The study provides evidence to inform policymakers and public health practitioners in designing context-specific strategies to enhance malaria control and contribute to malaria elimination efforts in endemic settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
