title: Knowledge, attitude and practices on malaria among the rural communities in aliero, northern Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Families' perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about malaria causation, symptom identification, treatment of malaria, and prevention are often overlooked in malaria control efforts. This study was conducted to understand these issues, which can be an important step towards developing strategies, aimed at controlling malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community based descriptive cross-sectional study in four villages: Danwarai, Gehuru, Jiga, and Kashin Zama of Aliero local government area in Kebbi Sate, in northern Nigeria. Two hundred household were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge of the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission (11.8%) and cause of malaria (9.6%) was observed to be low among the study population. Comprehensive knowledge about malaria prevention measures was high (90%), but not reflecting in their practice (16%). They have good knowledge of mosquito behavior (breeding areas (64.5%), resting places (70%) and biting time (81%)). Seeking hospital care for a febrile child was a good practice (68.5%) observed. Attitudes regarding the best antimalarial therapy was limited (56.7%) to chloroquine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misconceptions about malaria transmission and its cause still exist. Knowledge about preventive measures does not necessarily translate into improvement in practices. There is a need for targeted educational programs to increase the communities' efforts to develop desirable attitude and practices regarding malaria and their participation for malaria control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rupashree
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Jamila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ukatu Victoria
authors.initials: UV
authors.lastname: Ebere
keywords: Attitudes; knowledge; malaria; practices; rural-Aliero