Abida Sultana, Mohammad Ayaz Bhatt.
Malaria, knowledge, attitude & practice; in a semi-urban population of Rawalpindi.
Professional Med J Jan ;8(4):433-8.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of people about malaria in a semi urban area near Rawalpindi and Islamabad. DESIGN: Descriptive Cross Sectional Study. SETTING: A cross sectional survey was conducted in a semi urban area of model village Humak near Rawalpindi and Islamabad. METHOD: Universal questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices about malaria. The head of family (Male or Female) was interviewed by structured Questionnaire. RESULTS: In 85% of respondents opinion malaria is a dangerous disease and 97% were in favor of protective measures against malaria. Regarding the protective measures 56% were in favor of mosquito net. By the use of mosquito net or repellent 98% of respondent`s attitude was prevention against the mosquito bite. 93% respondents answered that they would like to know about details of malaria problem. Regarding the practices 72% of respondents, family members suffered from malaria during the past. 70% of respondents, recognized the malaria on their own by recognizing signs and symptoms of malaria, and doctor diagnosed 5%. 70% were planning protection from mosquito bite and 5% were doing self-medication. During malaria season 32% were taking Chemoprophylaxis. 66% were planning to safeguard their family from mosquito bite and 40% were using mosquito nets. 30% of respondents were using mosquito repellents when they were going out of home. Those who were using chemical mat 68% were using regularly and 32% were occasional user. CONCLUSION: The study explores that there is need for more accurate knowledge transmission from media and health workers and effective health education programs and energetic malaria control and eradication steps.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com