INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Malaria constitutes a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. It affects the health and wellbeing of the vast number of people and wealth of the nations. Erhun WO, Agbani EO, Adesanya SO (2005). An estimated (80%) cases of malaria and (91%) deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. While (86%) deaths occur in children 5 years of age as a result of malaria attacks. The effect of Malaria remains inextricably linked with poverty. It also reduces the quality of life. The rate of consultations, treatments, and hospitalizations of malaria patients in Nigeria is enormous leading to low productivity and loss of income. The people most affected are pregnant women and Children aged less than five years. These category of people are most vulnerable to suffering severe consequences and dying of the disease; especially in communities where the transmission is intense. Malaria infection when a woman is pregnant can have adverse effects on both mother and fetus, including maternal anemia, fetal loss, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of low birth-weight infants which is a risk factor for death. In children under five, the adverse effects include: convulsions, anemia, coma and death. The study seek is to appraise knowledge and attitude toward the prevention of malaria in the community.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The need to Prevent and control malaria cannot be overemphasized. This will help reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality in the country. Currently, the rate of consultation for malaria treatment is high. Malaria is responsible for 31% of consultations, 44% of hospitalizations and 18% of deaths occurring in health facilities in the country. An estimated (80%) cases of malaria and (91%) deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. While (86%) deaths occur in children 5 years of age as a result of malaria attacks. The effect of Malaria remains inextricably linked with poverty. It also reduces the quality of life. The rate of consultations, treatments, and hospitalizations of malaria patients in Nigeria is enormous leading to low productivity and loss of income. It is believed if malaria is properly eradicated it will help improve the wellbeing and standard of the living of the people. But this depends on the corporation that could be received from the people as regards the preventive measures to be applied which is influenced by the level of knowledge and attitude of the people. Therefore, the problem confronting the study is investigating the knowledge and attitude toward the prevention of malaria in the community.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to investigate the knowledge and attitude toward the prevention of malaria in the community. The specific objectives include:
i. To determine the level of knowledge of malaria and its transmission in this community.
ii. To understand the major causes of malaria in this community.
iii. To examine the preventive measures of Malaria parasite.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. What is the level of knowledge of malaria and its transmission in this community?
ii. What are the major causes of malaria in this community?
iii. What are the preventive measures of Malaria parasite?
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
Ho1: The level of knowledge of malaria and its transmission in this community is not significant.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study shall proffer measure for enhancing the right perception and attitude towards the prevention and control of malaria. This is essential for the effective implementation of malaria control programmes to enhance a better living standard economic development and growth.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUIDY
The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
MALARIA DEFINED
Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites from the Plasmodium family, an infectious disease that can be transmitted by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito or by a contaminated needle or transfusion.
HEALTH DEFINED
The condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit. A state of freedom from physical disease or pain nursed them back to health.
