Community knowledge, attitude, practices and beliefs associated with persistence of malaria transmission in North-western and Southern regions of Tanzania

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Edwin A. Liheluka, Isolide S. Massawe, Mercy G. Chiduo, Celine I. Mandara, Frank Chacky, Leah Ndekuka, Filbert F. Temba, Bruno P. Mmbando, Misago D. Seth, Daniel P. Challe, Williams H. Makunde, Athanas D. Mhina, Vito Baraka, Method D. Segeja, Yahya A. Derua, Bernard M. Batengana, Paul M. Hayuma, Rashid A. Madebe, Masunga C. Malimi, Renata Mandike, Sigsbert Mkude, Fabrizio Molteni, Ritha Njau, Ally Mohamed, Susan F. Rumisha, Deus S. Ishengoma
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2023
• Subjects: Malaria knowledge; attitude; practices and beliefs; Insecticide-treated nets; Malaria; Tanzania; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic; Geita; Kap
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04738-5; https://doaj.org/article/c424ebfa135245bda7bd2b7c4b952a44

Abstract Background Despite significant decline in the past two decades, malaria is still a major public health concern in Tanzania; with over 93% of the population still at risk. Community knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), and beliefs are key in enhancing uptake and utilization of malaria control interventions, but there is a lack of information on their contribution to effective control of the disease. This study was undertaken to determine KAP and beliefs of community members and service providers on malaria, and how they might be associated with increased risk and persistence of the disease burden in North-western and Southern regions of Tanzania. Methods This was an exploratory study that used qualitative methods including 16 in-depth interviews (IDI) and 32 focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data from health service providers and community members, respectively. The study was conducted from September to October 2017 and covered 16 villages within eight districts from four regions of mainland Tanzania (Geita, Kigoma, Mtwara and Ruvuma) with persistently high malaria transmission for more than two decades. Results Most of the participants had good knowledge of malaria and how it is transmitted but some FGD participants did not know the actual cause of malaria, and thought that it is caused by bathing and drinking un-boiled water, or consuming contaminated food that has malaria parasites without warming it. Reported barriers to malaria prevention and control (by FGD and IDI participants) included shortage of qualified health workers, inefficient health financing, low care-seeking behaviour, consulting traditional healers, use of local herbs to treat malaria, poverty, increased breeding sites by socio-economic activities and misconceptions related to the use of bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Among the misconceptions, some participants believed that bed nets provided for free by the government came with bedbugs while others reported that free bed nets caused impotence among men. ...