Reproductive-Age Women's Knowledge and Care Seeking for Malaria Prevention and Control in Ghana: Analysis of the 2016 Malaria Indicator Survey.

Martin Amogre Ayanore,Asiwome Ameko,Robert Kaba Alhassan,Wisdom Kudzo Axame,John Tetteh,Victor Mogre,Augustine Adoliba Ayanore,Seth Owusu-Agyei

doi:10.1155/2019/2316375

Abstract

Introduction Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, requiring individual and environmental level controls to prevent its adverse morbidity effects. This study examined reproductive-aged women's knowledge and care-seeking practices for malaria prevention and control in Ghana. Methods The 2016 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey data for reproductive-age women was analysed (n=5,150). Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with reproductive-aged women's knowledge and care-seeking practices for malaria. Results 62.3%, 81.3%, and 64.6% knowledge levels on causes, signs/symptoms, and prevention of malaria were found, respectively, among respondents. Age, wealth and educational status, religion, region, and place of residence (rural) were found to significantly influence respondents' knowledge of causes, signs/symptoms, and care-seeking practices for malaria. A 15% differential among Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) awareness and use was found. Increasing age (≥35 years) was associated with increasing knowledge of malaria. Regional variations were observed to significantly influence knowledge of malaria treatment. Conclusion Though ownership of ITNs and knowledge of malaria prevention were high, it did not necessarily translate into use of ITNs. Thus, there is a need to intensify education on the importance and the role of ITNs use in the prevention of malaria.

Highlights

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, requiring individual and environmental level controls to prevent its adverse morbidity effects
The study examined reproductive-age women’s knowledge and care seeking for malaria prevention and control in Ghana
The findings show that increasing age (≥35 years) of a woman increases her knowledge levels on the causes, signs/symptoms, prevention, and care seeking for malaria, compared to young women

Summary

Introduction

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, requiring individual and environmental level controls to prevent its adverse morbidity effects. This study examined reproductive-aged women’s knowledge and care-seeking practices for malaria prevention and control in Ghana. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with reproductive-aged women’s knowledge and care-seeking practices for malaria. Wealth and educational status, religion, region, and place of residence (rural) were found to significantly influence respondents’ knowledge of causes, signs/symptoms, and care-seeking practices for malaria. The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) which became operational in 1999 sets up the modalities to reduce the burden of malaria nationally [8] Malaria control interventions such as the introduction of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) which form part of key strategies in Ghana have contributed significantly to malaria control in Ghana [9]. A new strategic plan (2015-2020) against malaria in Ghana provides a renewed framework to reduce malaria-related mortality rates by 75% in 2020 [2, 9, 11]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion