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. 2023 Dec 31;17(4):383-399.
doi: 10.18502/jad.v17i4.15301. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Knowledge and Practices of Women Regarding Malaria and Its Prevention: A Community-Based Study in an Area under Malaria Elimination Programme in Iran

Mehdi Zare  1 , Hassan Vatandoost  2   3 , Moussa Soleimani-Ahmadi  4   5 , Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi  4 , Seyed Aghil Jaberhashemi  6 , Shokrollah Mohseni  7
Affiliations

Knowledge and Practices of Women Regarding Malaria and Its Prevention: A Community-Based Study in an Area under Malaria Elimination Programme in Iran

Mehdi Zare et al. J Arthropod Borne Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are two core interventions for control and prevention of malaria infection. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices of women regarding malaria and its preventive measures in a malarious area in the Jask County, southeast of Iran.

Methods: Data was collected from 400 households through a two-stage random cluster sampling method in six villages. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. During the survey, visual observations were also made by the interviewers to check use of LLINs and IRS. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21.

Results: The majority of households had a high level of knowledge about symptoms (98%, n=392) and transmission (74.5%, n=298) of malaria. The main preventive measures against malaria were: LLINS (39.5%, n=158), IRS (32%, n=128), and screens on doors/windows (16.7%, n=67). In addition, participants with primary or higher educational level reported that they practice more malaria preventive measures, compared to those who were illiterate (OR=3.3, 95% CI= 1.6-6.6, p=0.0001, Table 6). In spite of positive perceptions about IRS and LLINs, only 35.5% (n=142) and 17% (n=68) of households used IRS and LLINs, respectively.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, despite a high level of knowledge about malaria and its preventive measures, a small number of participants use LLINs and IRS for malaria prevention. Therefore, implementation of effective educational interventions is recommended to improve preventive practices against malaria in the study area.

Keywords: Indoor residual spraying; Knowledge; Long-lasting insecticidal nets; Malaria prevention; Practice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement The authors declare there is no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Map of Iran showing Hormozgan Province and location of Jask County, southeastern Iran
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Completing the questionnaire by trained interviewers in Jask County, southeastern Iran
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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