Knowledge and practices on malaria prevention in two rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda particularly among children under 5 years of age.


OBJECTIVES
The study assessed the knowledge and practices on malaria prevention in 2 rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda with emphasis on the various prevention methods.


METHODS
The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out among 376 households using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Log-binomial regression, chi square and Spearman's rank order correlation were used to test for associations.


RESULTS
The majority of participants (64.6%) had low knowledge on malaria prevention methods, with untreated mosquito nets (81.7%), mosquito coils (36.9%) and insecticide treated nets (29.6%) being the most known methods. Knowledge on malaria prevention methods was associated with age (χ2 = 32.1; p < 0.01), employment status (χ2 = 18.1; p < 0.01), education (χ2 = 20.3; p = 0.01), income (χ2 = 14.5; p = 0.01) and having heard a malaria message in the previous 12 months (χ2 = 92.3; p < 0.01). Households that had at least one mosquito net were 45.5% and net ownership increased with household income. Only 0.5% of the houses had undergone indoor residual spraying in the previous 12 months, while 2.1% had complete mosquito proofing in windows and ventilators to prevent mosquito entry.


CONCLUSION
There is potential to improve practices on malaria prevention by targeting other methods beyond mosquito nets such as installing proofing in windows and ventilators. The integrated approach to malaria prevention which advocates the use of several malaria prevention methods in a holistic manner should be explored for this purpose.
['Musoke|David|D|', 'Karani|George|G|', 'Ssempebwa|John C|JC|', 'Etajak|Samuel|S|', 'Guwatudde|David|D|', 'Musoke|Miph B|MB|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005191:Family Characteristics D005260:Female D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D007306:Insecticides D008288:Malaria D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009032:Mosquito Control D057147:Mosquito Nets D010067:Ownership D012424:Rural Population D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D014454:Uganda D055815:Young Adult
knowledge practices Malaria prevention Uganda integrated approach