Knowledge and Practices of Women Regarding Malaria and Its Prevention: A Community-Based Study in an Area under Malaria Elimination Programme in Iran

Mehdi Zare; Hassan Vatandoost; Moussa Soleimani-Ahmadi; Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi; Seyed Aghil Jaberhashemi; Shokrollah Mohseni

doi:10.18502/jad.v17i4.15301

Mehdi Zare Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Hassan Vatandoost Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Moussa Soleimani-Ahmadi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Seyed Aghil Jaberhashemi Bashagard Health Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bashagard, Iran
Shokrollah Mohseni Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v17i4.15301

Keywords: Knowledge; Practice; Indoor residual spraying; Malaria prevention; Long-lasting insecticidal nets

Abstract

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are two core interventions for control and prevention of malaria infection. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices of women regarding malaria and its preventive measures in a malarious area in the Jask County, southeast of Iran.

Methods: Data was collected from 400 households through a two-stage random cluster sampling method in six villages. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. During the survey, visual observations were also made by the interviewers to check use of LLINs and IRS. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21.

Results: The majority of households had a high level of knowledge about symptoms (98%, n=392) and transmission (74.5%, n=298) of malaria. The main preventive measures against malaria were: LLINS (39.5%, n=158), IRS (32%, n=128), and screens on doors/windows (16.7%, n=67). In addition, participants with primary or higher educational level reported that they practice more malaria preventive measures, compared to those who were illiterate (OR=3.3, 95% CI= 1.6–6.6, p=0.0001, Table 6). In spite of positive perceptions about IRS and LLINs, only 35.5% (n=142) and 17% (n=68) of households used IRS and LLINs, respectively.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, despite a high level of knowledge about malaria and its preventive measures, a small number of participants use LLINs and IRS for malaria prevention. Therefore, implementation of effective educational interventions is recommended to improve preventive practices against malaria in the study area.