Community Knowledge and Perceptions on Malaria and Its Prevention and Control in the Akwapim North Municipality, Ghana

Background: Malaria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially among children less than five years in the Akwapim North Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Knowledge of community members in malaria is a major factor that can influence malaria prevention and control. In 2012, the municipality was enrolled onto the home-based management of malaria programme in the region using the community based health volunteers. We assessed the knowledge and level of understanding of the people about the disease prior to the introduction. This is to enhance the control of malaria in the Municipality.
Methods: A cross sectional study involving 616 adults, were selected from households using a simple random selection method. Information on age, marital status, levels of education, occupation, awareness, knowledge and perceptions on malaria were obtained using a questionnaire. Univariate analyses were expressed as frequencies, percentages and means. Bivariate analysis ascertained the relationship between gender, age, educational level and knowledge on prevention of malaria (p<0.05).
Results: Among the 616 respondents, 58.6 % were females. The median age was 33.0 years old (range 14-81). Respondent’s awareness of malaria was 96.7% but rather a poor knowledge of malaria etiology (1.6%). 64.2% of the respondents knew that mosquitoes transmit malaria. Knowledge on the classical symptoms of uncomplicated malaria was moderate (7.6 – 48.7%). The respondent’s knowledge of danger signs of severe malaria was low (5.6-16.2%). Myths regarding causes of malaria such as filth, flies were mentioned by 20.9% and 4.2% of the respondents. 81% perceived malaria is preventable and the use of an insecticide treated bed net among respondents was 39.0%. Females were more likely (p-value 0.003) to have more knowledge on prevention of malaria.
Conclusion: Although awareness of malaria in the Akwapim North Municipality is high, there is a serious knowledge gap in identifying the dangers signs associated with the disease. Many community members do agree that malaria is preventable but still harbour myths regarding its etiology. Health education should therefore be reviewed and intensified in the communities.