Main Article Content
Malaria Control Practices and Treatment Seeking Patterns among Adults in North Central Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria and the burden of disease is largely due to inadequate control and treatment efforts. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a socio-culturally heterogeneous adult population in Northcentral Nigeria to evaluate malaria control practices and treatment seeking patterns and further determine the sociodemographic determinants.
Methodology: Two hundred (200) adult out-patients attending the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from urban and rural areas were recruited in a cross-sectional study spanning August to December 2009. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the participants about their socio-demographic characteristics, malaria control practices, history of malaria treatment and choice of treatment provider.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 36 ± 9 years and 58% of them were females. Majority of the subjects (67.5%) reported embarking on at least one malaria control measure. Environmental measures (62.5%) and use of window/door nets (43.2%) were the commonest control practices while only 14.5% reported sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN). Female gender (p=0.04), high educational level (p<0.0001), urban residence (p=0.0003) and unemployment (p=0.04) favoured ITN use. There were a total of 403 self-reported malaria treatments in the preceding 12 months with 68% having ≥ 2 treatments. Patent medicine dealers (42.5%) were the most patronized treatment providers followed by doctors (33.5%) and nurses/community health extension workers (18.0%). Marital status (p=0.005), level of education (p<0.0001) and place of residence (p=0.0002) were the significant determinants of choice of treatment provider.
Conclusion: Malaria control measures and treatment seeking patterns are far from satisfactory in North-central Nigeria and both have strong socio-demographic determinants. There is great need to equitably improve malaria control practices and optimize access to formal treatment facilities.
Methodology: Two hundred (200) adult out-patients attending the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from urban and rural areas were recruited in a cross-sectional study spanning August to December 2009. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the participants about their socio-demographic characteristics, malaria control practices, history of malaria treatment and choice of treatment provider.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 36 ± 9 years and 58% of them were females. Majority of the subjects (67.5%) reported embarking on at least one malaria control measure. Environmental measures (62.5%) and use of window/door nets (43.2%) were the commonest control practices while only 14.5% reported sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN). Female gender (p=0.04), high educational level (p<0.0001), urban residence (p=0.0003) and unemployment (p=0.04) favoured ITN use. There were a total of 403 self-reported malaria treatments in the preceding 12 months with 68% having ≥ 2 treatments. Patent medicine dealers (42.5%) were the most patronized treatment providers followed by doctors (33.5%) and nurses/community health extension workers (18.0%). Marital status (p=0.005), level of education (p<0.0001) and place of residence (p=0.0002) were the significant determinants of choice of treatment provider.
Conclusion: Malaria control measures and treatment seeking patterns are far from satisfactory in North-central Nigeria and both have strong socio-demographic determinants. There is great need to equitably improve malaria control practices and optimize access to formal treatment facilities.
