title: KAP surveys and malaria control in Vietnam: findings and cautions about community research.
abstract: The malaria disease burden is increasing in many countries despite the existence of effective preventative strategies and antimalarial drugs. An understanding of community perspectives and practices is one of the essential components of a successful malaria control program. This paper reports on a KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) survey among the Raglai ethnic minority population in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam, which in 2003 had one of the country's highest confirmed rates of malaria. We found high levels of correct knowledge about malaria's transmission and symptoms, and self-reports of adequate bed net usage and appropriate health-seeking behavior. While the survey generated useful findings, an initial, qualitative investigation (eg, observation and focus group discussions) to explore the large numbers of potential influences on behavior and exposure risk would have provided a more robust underpinning for the design of survey questions. This would have strengthened its validity and generated additional information. The adoption of rigorous, multi-disciplinary research methods offers the best chance of contributing to the development of successful malaria control programs and effective policies.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Quy
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: Anh
authors.forename: Le Xuan
authors.initials: le X
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Hoang Ngoc
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Thuy
authors.forename: Tran Quoc
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Tuy
authors.forename: Sonia R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Caruana
authors.forename: Beverley-Ann
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morrow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D002648:Child; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology