Utilisation of malarial drugs at a household level: results from a KAP study in Choma, southern province and Mporokoso, northern province of Zambia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and document knowledge and use of anti-malarial drugs at household level in rural Zambia.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
Community based.


METHODS
Data was collected from 392 male and 415 female respondents.


METHODS
Percentage of respondents knowing the cause of malaria and using modern health facilities.


RESULTS
The median age of respondents in Choma was 37(Q1 = 27, Q3 = 52) while that for Mporokoso respondents was 34(Q1 = 26, Q3 = 47), (p < 0.001). There was no association between educational level and knowledge of causes of malaria (p = 0.674). Fever was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with malaria (20.4% in Choma, 80.6% in Mporokoso). However, only 1% in both areas mentioned the mosquito as a vector for malaria. The majority of residents (59.5%) went to the hospital when they suffered from malaria. Only 7% mentioned the use of traditional medicine. There was an association between the level of education and taking preventive measures against malaria in all the communities (p < 0.001). Respondents did not mention the use of treated mosquito nets.


CONCLUSIONS
Residents in both Choma and Mporokoso did not know the cause of malaria. The use of treated mosquito nets is rare. Production of information, education, communication (IEC) health materials and recruitment of a village health educator is recommended.
Kaona
F
F
Department of Public Health, Tropical Diseases Research Centre, P O Box 71769, Ndola, Zambia.
Siajunza
M T
MT
Manyando
C
C
Khondowe
S
S
Ngoma
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004522:Educational Status; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000962:Antimalarials