Zingani et al., 2017 Socio-economic and Socio-cultural factors affecting malaria control interventions in Zambia
Abstract
Background: Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Zambia. Despite Zambia implementing a number of interventions aimed at controlling malaria, the disease prevalence remains high (above 50%) in Milenge district, Luapula province. This is a cause of great concern. The aim of this study was to determine key socio-economic and socio-cultural practices affecting malaria control interventions among communities in Milenge district.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four rural Health Centres in Milenge district in 2015. A total of 192 randomly selected adult patients and/or their caregivers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software.
Results: Farming and fishing was the most common occupation among respondents (91.15%, n=175) indicating a low socio-economic status. Educational level (p<0.001; χ2=29.52), occupation (p<0.003; χ2=16.07) and monthly income (p<0.001; χ2=23.80) significantly associated with knowledge of malaria transmission and prevention interventions. Although there was a strong association between knowledge of malaria transmission and use of ITN for malaria (p<0.001; χ2 = 31), about 20% indicated using unconventional methods such as indigenous local herbs to treat or prevent malaria and 3% reported consulting traditional healers.
Conclusion: Low socio-economic status was the main key factor affecting malaria control interventions in Milenge district. Socio-cultural practices such as traditional belief systems and use of unconventional herbal medicines were still practiced in spite of sufficient knowledge of malaria transmission and the
All authors who submit their paper for publication will abide by following provisions of the copyright transfer: 1. The copyright of the paper rests with the authors. And they are transferring the copyright to publish the article and used the article for indexing and storing for public use with due reference to published matter in the name of concerned authors. 2. The authors reserve all proprietary rights such as patent rights and the right to use all or part of the article in future works of their own such as lectures, press releases, and reviews of textbooks. 3. In the case of republication of the whole, part, or parts thereof, in periodicals or reprint publications by a third party, written permission must be obtained from the Managing Editor of JPRM. 4. The authors declare that the material being presented by them in this paper is their original work, and does not contain or include material taken from other copyrighted sources. Wherever such material has been included, it has been clearly indented or/and identified by quotation marks and due and proper acknowledgements given by citing the source at appropriate places. 5. The paper, the final version of which they submit, is not substantially the same as any that they had already published elsewhere. 6. They declare that they have not sent the paper or any paper substantially the same as the submitted one, for publication anywhere else. 7. Furthermore, the author may only post his/her version provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication in this journal and a link is inserted wherever published. 8. All contents, Parts, written matters, publications are under copyright act taken by JPRM. 9. Published articles will be available for use by scholars and researchers. 10. IJPRM is not responsible in any type of claim on publication in our Journal. .