Abstract
Background: Malaria is one of the main health problems in Yemen. School-age children represent 25% of Yemen’s population and an increased proportion of these children are going to school. Schools provide a good entry point for community malaria prevention and control. Aim: To assess the impact of HE campaign towards malaria prevention and control. Methods: We conducted a community-based trial (pre-post intervention study), in two randomly selected districts (rural and urban) of Taiz governorate. The sample size was calculated using Epi Info version7 to be 1065 pupils from 6th - 8th grades in randomly selected basic schools. Data was collected using questionnaire before and after the intervention (three months apart). χ2 was used to analyze differences. Results: Health education activities in schools were associated with the increased knowledge of malaria symptoms and methods of prevention from 24.5% to be 60.2% among pre and post intervention respectively, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), also an increase in the positive attitude and practice toward malaria from 45% to be 60% among pre and post intervention. The rate of having bed-nets increased from 10.1% to 16.7% pre and post intervention respectively. Conclusions and Recommendation: Health education intervention in schools had a positive impact on the knowledge and attitude of pupils. We recommend conducting health education activities to improve the role of school pupils in malaria prevention.
Highlights
Malaria is endemic in 109 countries and territories in tropical and sub-tropical zones, spanning all continents of the world except Antarctica and Australia, with intensities of transmission that vary from very low to extremely high [1]
Health education activities in schools were associated with the increased knowledge of malaria symptoms and methods of prevention from 24.5% to be 60.2% among pre and post intervention respectively, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), an increase in the positive attitude and practice toward malaria from 45% to be 60% among pre and post intervention
A study conducted in Hadhra-mout-Yemen revealed that prevalence of malaria among school children was 12.8%, it was higher among school children aged 10 - 11 years (15.5%) than children aged 8 - 9 years and 6 - 7 years (13.9% and 8.3%) respectively [10]
Summary
Malaria is endemic in 109 countries and territories in tropical and sub-tropical zones, spanning all continents of the world except Antarctica and Australia, with intensities of transmission that vary from very low to extremely high [1]. Female sex is a risk factor for mortality from malaria in Yemen [9]. A study conducted in Hadhra-mout-Yemen revealed that prevalence of malaria among school children was 12.8%, it was higher among school children aged 10 - 11 years (15.5%) than children aged 8 - 9 years and 6 - 7 years (13.9% and 8.3%) respectively [10]. Community-based trial (pre-post intervention) was conducted in Taiz governorate, Yemen. The sample size was calculated using Epi Info. A sample was calculated using epi-info version 3.5.1(August 2008), according to the following criteria:. The population size of Taiz basic school children = 593,246 pupils. Based on that, calculated sample size was found to be 1065 pupils. Institutional approval was obtained from the Ministry of Education Office in Taiz Governorate, district education offices, and headmasters of targeted schools before the start of data collection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
