Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices (KAP) Of Malaria Prevention Amongst Medical Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains one of the foremost causes of morbidity in the world. Practices of preventive measures have been linked to factors including educational status. Students of health-related sciences are expected to possess a high-level knowledge of the disease and translate this into the better practice of preventive measures. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge attitude and practice of malaria prevention among medical students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected from 253 consenting medical students using an online group-designed Google Form questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft excel. Results: Although 47.83% of respondents think malaria is a deadly disease and 98.81% affirmed it is preventable, almost all (≥98.42%) reported female anopheles’ mosquito and plasmodium as vector and causative agent, respectively. Moreover, 65.22% were very willing to use one or a combination of malaria preventive methods. Insecticides usage were most common among the respondents, with 84.58% having used them in the last year. In contrast, only 12.25% and 35.97% had used Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) and insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN), respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed good knowledge and attitude amongst the medical students. However, this did not translate to practice, especially with the most advanced vector control practices such as ITN usage and IRS. Hence, a review of the public/community health curricula and related course modules to provide more information about IRS is recommended. Also, and there is a need for the government to make ITNs more readily available and affordable.