Medical & Health Science

Impact of Health Education on Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Mothers to Malaria in their Children in Ifo and Agbazogbunuchi Farm Settlements

Impact of Health Education on Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Mothers to Malaria in their Children in Ifo and Agbazogbunuchi Farm Settlements in Enugu East LGA of Enugu State

Abstract

This study was undertaken to measure the impact of health education on the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers to malaria in their children at IFO and Agbazogbunchi farm settlements . This topic was chosen due to the high morbidity and mortality attributed to malaria especially in children under five years. Also the role mothers play in the care and management of their children with malaria. In order to carry out the study, the following objectives were set : (I) To identify mothers level of knowledge about malaria (2) To find out their attitude to treatment and treatment seeking behavior. (3) To educate mothers on malaria and its control (4) To evaluate the impact of health education on mothers knowledge, attitude and practice towards malaria and its control. The descriptive survey method of research was used in the study with the questionnaire as the only research tool. The sample for the study was made up of 300 women resident at IFO and Agbazogbunchi farm settlements. The sampling technique was the multistage sampling technique. The response to the questionnaire was 100° percent. Frequency distribution tables and other diagrams were used to analyze data collected. Based on the analysis of data, the findings from the study were that: ( I ) Knowledge about malaria transmission is still shrouded in misconceptions as 264 or 88’% in both group believe that one can get malaria by eating oily food, exposure to sunlight and poor environment. (2) Post interventions result reveal that all the mothers (study and control) knew the symptoms of malaria while 130 or 86% in the study group knew the season of occurrence of malaria. 127 respondents knew the causative agent and 138 respondents knew that malaria was preventable. This shows that health educational activities have positive effect on mothers KAP to malaria in their children. (3) 35% of the respondents visited the hospital or health center. 33% treated their children at home, 21% visited the chemist and 56% of them took decision on where to take their children for treatment, which shows that the mothers under study differ In their attitude to treatment and treatment seeking behavior. (4) Mothers are aware of the methods of malaria control as 100% of the respondents in study were using various methods to prevent mosquito bite and malaria. Based on the findings of the study conclusions were drawn and recommendations aimed at highlighting the need for accurate and timely empowerment of mothers and fathers on how to care for children with malaria.



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