Home Management of Malaria in Rural Communities in Okigwe Zone, Imo State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Home Management, Malaria, Rural CommunitiesAbstract
This Study was designed to access the pattern of home management of malaria in rural communities in Okigwe Zone, Imo State, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine the rural communities’ knowledge about the transmission of malaria, spread of malaria, frequent bite time of mosquito and how malaria is prevented at home as well as patterns of home management of malaria in the rural communities. A descriptive survey design was used and sample size was 963. A structured, validated and reliable questionnaire (r = 0.77) was used as instrument for data collection. The results showed that out of 963 respondents, 512(53.2%) reported that malaria is not transmissible while 441(45.8%) reported that malaria is transmissible. 847(88%) noted that malaria spreads through mosquito bite while insignificant number, 7(0.7%) said malaria spreads through drinking dirty water and eating unhygienic food. Majority of the respondents 767(79.6%) had no idea about the frequent biting time while 91(9.4%) said it is in the night. In terms of preventive measures practiced by respondents, the majority 423(22.8%) used mosquito mat, coils, liquid and vaporizer, 314(16.9%) respondents used mosquito net (ITN/LLTN) while the minority 68(3.7%) used firewood smoke to drive mosquito away. Diagnosis is made by 268(27.8%) respondents using fever, loss of appetite and weakness. In the multiple response measures used in the home management of malaria, 565 (30.1%) said they used chloroquine, amodiaquine and quinine in the treatment of malaria. 290(15.5%) used a special herb, Azadirachta Indica (dogonyaro/Akum shut up leaf), 197(10.5%) used artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), 117(6,2%) indicated that they used prayer, 92(4.9%) used plant roots, while 54(2.9%) used more than one in succession. Based on the above results, the rural communities still require enlightenment campaign and health education on home management of malaria.
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