TITLE:
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge Attitude and Prevention Practice towards Malaria among Basic Schools Pupils Prior to Health Education Campaign
AUTHORS:
Belquis A. Farea, Adel N. Aljasari, Nahid A. Baktayan, Arwa A. Farea, Ali M. Assabri
KEYWORDS:
School Children, Fever, Bed Net, Symptoms of Malaria, Complication of Malaria, Positive Attitude, Practice
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.10 No.4,
April
12,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Malaria has historically been a major public health concern in Yemen, noted to be the country with the highest prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As more and more children attend school, governments are increasingly recognizing the importance of child health for educational achievement. Aim: The aim is to assess the baseline knowledge, attitude and practice of pupil towards malaria before the health education activities. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, in four randomly selected districts (rural and urban) of Taiz governorate. The study population was 1598 pupils in primary schools. Data was collected using questioner. Results: The pupils who recognized mosquito bite as a route of malaria transmission was 769 (48.1%), while the pupils who recognized fever as the main symptom were 786 (49.2%), 281 (17.58%) of pupils recognized convulsion as a complication of malaria. Regarding protective method 881 (55.31%) were mentioned the cover of the tanks as a protective method, about the BN 293 (18.3%) of pupils known about the BN and 280 (17.5%) mentioned children & pregnancy were the vulnerable groups to malaria. Conclusions and Recommendation: the percentage of knowledge of malaria knowledge and methods of prevention was low (24.5%). Also, the positive attitude and practice toward malaria was 45%. The rate of having bed-nets was very low (10.1%). There were misconceptions of malaria cause and transmission (48.1%). We recommend conducting health education activities that will focus on increasing the knowledge, attitude and practice levels of malaria among school pupils.