A Study to Assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Prevention and Control of Malaria in Two Endemic Blocks of District Nuh (Mewat Region) in Haryana
Abstract
Malaria, a life-threatening protozoal infection and continues to be a global public health concern. India is also a malaria endemic country, which constitutes the highest malaria burden in the South East Asia Region. Since the major outbreak of malaria occurred in Mewat region in 1996, few studies have been carried out enumerating various factors associated with malaria prevalence and persistence in the traditionally known epidemic belt of the north-western plains of India. The purpose of the present KAP study was to determine the community perceptions in terms of malaria cause, prevention and control.
A community based cross-sectional survey was carried out in four malaria endemic villages in two PHCs of district Nuh of Haryana with 190 respondents to know respondents knowledge about the disease, its prevention and control in terms of acceptance of Indoor Residual Spray. Data collected were analysed statistically using STATA version 10. Chi-Square test was used for comparison of characteristics between data collected from four villages.
There was significant difference in the disease awareness between male and female, illiterate and literate and low and high income group population. 92% respondents were aware of malaria disease, 44.4% of the respondents reported as rainy season and 31.4% post rainy season and others did not know. On asking about the causative agent of malaria, 82% of the respondents associated malaria with mosquitoes which was significantly associated with the awareness and prevalence of diseases in the region. Mosquito nets, coils and repellents were commonly used as protective practices by the respondents but the difference was not found significant except for mosquito net (P <0.05) in both the study areas. The study indicates about little knowledge, less awareness and inadequate practices of respondents on various aspects of malaria are important factors responsible for the persistence of malaria in the district Nuh.
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