International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)
Vol 7, No 3: September 2018

Knowledge-Attitudes-Practices about Malaria among Communities in Southern Benin

Germain Gil Padonou (University of Abomey Calavi, Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Ministry of Health)
Judith G. Gbenoudon (Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Abomey Calavi)
Razaki Osse (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Albert Salako (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Casimir Kpanou (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Herman Sagbohan (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Virgile Gnanguenon (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Frederick Oke Agbo (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Olivier Oussou (Center of Entomological Research of Cotonou (CREC), Cotonou, Benin)
Martin Codjo Akogbeto (Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Abomey Calavi, Benin)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Sep 2018

Abstract

Malaria still remains the main public health problem in Benin. We explored the determinants that influenced malaria treatment as well as protective behaviors, to generate a framework of useful ideas as alternative strategies against malaria. A cross-sectional survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) was conducted at Hozin, Vakon and Agblangandan districts in southern region of Benin. Descriptive statistics were computed and mixed logistic regression helped evaluating the relationship between frequency of each category of severity of malaria and sex group, educational level, treatment, means of self-protection against mosquitoes and identification of the cause of malaria. A significant proportion 750 (81.3%) (p<0.001) of participants stated that malaria was caused by mosquitoes. The respondents who mentioned sun as the cause of malaria, have trivialized more malaria in a proportion of about 59.30% (OR=2.67 [95% CI 1.61-4.44]) followed by those who have reported the cause of body weakness (43.68%) (OR=2.97 [95% CI 1.68-5.28]). Poor knowledge justifies the trivialization of the disease and poor management of malaria control means. National Malaria Control Programs should improve access to education, especially for women and could help improving prevention and control behaviours against malaria in communities.

Copyrights © 2018






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJPHS

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions

Description

International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS) is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes material on all aspects of public health science. This IJPHS provides the ideal platform for the discussion of more sophisticated public health research and practice for authors and readers world ...