title: Household training vs. mass campaigns: a better method of health communication for preventing malaria.
abstract: Malaria is endemic in several states of India with high tribal population. Effective use of long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLITNs) can reduce the burden of malaria in these settings. This study assessed the knowledge and behaviour regarding malaria in a tribal population and compared two health education strategies for enhancing effective utilisation of bed nets. A community-based intervention study was carried out among 218 households in two villages. One community received household level training on effective utilisation of LLITNs while the others received training in a mass campaign and outcomes were measured after 2 months. The study showed that the proportion utilising LLITNs was significantly higher among those receiving household level training as compared to those who received the mass campaign. Household level training appears to be a more effective form of health education for improving knowledge and promoting use of LLITNs in these isolated community groups.
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, RUHSA Christian Medical College, India mehul4frnds@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehul Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chourasia
authors.affiliation: Professor of Community Medicine, Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, India.
authors.forename: Vinod J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, India.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D044382:Population Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: LLITNs; Malaria; household training; mass campaigns