Malaria infection: knowledge, attitude and perception among the inhabitants of Shongom Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Human behaviour contributes significantly to malaria transmission. The study aimed to investigate malaria infection in relation to the knowledge, attitudes, and perception of participants in Shongom LGA. Gombe State. Consent was sought from the participants, 377 people were enrolled, blood samples were collected, and a thick blood smear was performed to check the presence of malaria parasites. Information of the participants i.e., gender, age, employment and marital status, knowledge, attitudes, and perception of malaria was obtained through the administration of questionnaires, SPSS version 26.0 was used for the data analysis. Of the 377 participants tested for malaria, 144(38.2%) were positive. Assessment of knowledge of participants with regards to malaria revealed, that 112(29.7%) opined that malaria is transmitted through a mosquito bite, fever 66(17.5%) is the major sign/symptom of malaria, 50(13.3%) used LLIN for malaria protection p>0.05 which is statistically insignificant. Investigation of the attitudes of the participants in relation to malaria showed that 123(32.6%) infected with malaria stayed outdoors at night, the major reason for staying outdoors at night was to get fresh air 45(36.6%) p<0.05 which is statistically significant, while outdoors at night, 63(20.8%) do nothing to protect themselves from mosquito bites p>0.05 which is statistically insignificant. With regards to the perception of malaria, 71(18.8%) said malaria is common during the rainy season, and 77(20.0%) opted that males are more susceptible to malaria, and mostly affects adults as revealed by 66(15.9%), however, 90(23.9%) said malaria is curable and 98(26.0%) said malaria is a common illness in the communities p>0.05 which is statistically insignificant. 134(35.5%) said that malaria can cause death p<0.05 which is statistically significant, and 76(20.2%) opined that malaria is a communicable disease p>0.05 which is statistically insignificant. Concern authorities should strategies and prioritize behavioural change to reduce malaria transmission.