Community knowledge and perceived effectiveness of interventions to reduce malaria: implications for sustained use of malaria interventions in Rufiji District, Southeastern Tanzania

Type Journal Article - International quarterly of community health education
Title Community knowledge and perceived effectiveness of interventions to reduce malaria: implications for sustained use of malaria interventions in Rufiji District, Southeastern Tanzania
Author(s)
Volume 35
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 335-347
URL http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0272684X15592760
Abstract
Insecticides treated-nets (ITNs) and artemether-lumefantrine (ALu), crucial for malaria elimination, depend on perceived effectiveness in reducing malarial fevers. We examined community knowledge and perceived effectiveness of ITNs and ALu for reducing malaria in Rufiji district. Heads of households were interviewed on causes of fever in underfives, fever history, and antimalarial use during the last 2 weeks, perceived effectiveness of, and willingness to continue using ALu and ITNs. A total of 1,885 respondents were interviewed, a majority (88.2%) females. Illnesses with fever (malaria—76.1% and respiratory conditions—58.9%) were major health problems. There was a very high recognition of fever as malaria symptom (95.1%). There were mixed perceptions on effectiveness of ALu and ITNs: ALu (52.8%) and on ITNs as highly effective (48.1%). Both ALu and ITNs were judged partially effective. Reorientation of social marketing to increase demand for ALu and ITNs for malaria control consolidation is crucial.

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