Knowledge and practice of malaria prevention and management among non-medical students of university of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

Background: Inadequate knowledge, misconceptions about the transmission, perception and management of malaria has been reported among various strata of the society and this can adversely affect malaria control measures. This study sought to assess knowledge and prevention practices of malaria among non-medical student in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among non-medical students. A simple randomized system was adopted for this study in the selection of the three faculties among the several faculties of non-medical students. A well-structured questionnaire which comprised of both open and close ended questions was adopted and used to elicit information from the students. Results: A total of 800 consenting UNN students participated in this study Less than one-tenth of the respondents (5.4%, n=43) reported that Plasmodium falciparum is the most common species that causes malaria. More than half of the respondents (53.5%, n=427) had treated mosquito net in their rooms, however only three hundred and thirty eight (42.3%) of them reported that they sleep under the mosquito treated net. There was a strong evidence of association between knowledge of Malaria and level of academic study (X2=11.01, p=0.015). Conclusions: The study results revealed that non-medical students of University of Nigeria Nsukka campus had an appreciable knowledge on prevention and management of malaria which was however, not translated into practice.