Malaria Infection, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Persons Patronising Drugstores for Malaria Treatment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Objectives: The study aimed to assess Malaria infection, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on malaria of persons patronising drugstores for malaria treatment in Port Harcourt and its environs in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methods: Whole blood samples were collected from 663 participants by venepuncture from 24 randomly selected drugstores at three different locations and were analysed using established practice. Also, a semi structured questionnaire was also administered to obtain socio-demographic characteristics and the participants’ Knowledge, Attitude and practice (KAP) on malaria.

Results: Out of the 663 participants, 151 (22.8%) were positive for malaria. The occurrence of malaria in the study areas were Mile 4 (Rumueme) 30.8%, Rumuosi 23.1% and D/line 14.5% which was significantly different (P = 0.001). More persons 458 (69.1%) between the ages of 25years and above participated in the study. Also, more males 357 (53.9%) than females 306 (46.2%) participated in the study. In all, 98.5% were aware of what malaria is and 89.4% knew that mosquito bite was responsible for malaria. On the whole, 97.1% of the respondents had a good knowledge of malaria. Overall, 97.7% of the participants showed a good attitude regarding malaria. Approximately 84% of the participants had poor practice about malaria.

Conclusion: Malaria infection rate, Knowledge of and attitude to malaria were high but the practice was low in the study area. There is need to intensify efforts towards education of the people on the necessity of compliance to good practice as that is the only way the war on malaria control can be effectively won.