Sociocultural factors influencing the control of malaria in an endemic city in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The continued persistence of malaria in Africa appears to be largely due to socio-cultural factors which very often, are at variance with the standard control methods. The study was therefore designed to ascertain the socio-cultural factors affecting the control of malaria in an endemic city- Makurdi, north central Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling methods to identify households; both quantitative and qualitative data were generated from adult women using structured and semi-structured questionnaires, and focused group discussions (FGDs) to obtain information on malaria. Questionnaires were administered requesting such as age, educational level, marital status, and awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria, and methods of prevention. Focused group discussions were used to obtain qualitative information on malaria not captured in the questionnaires. Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. Of the 2,075 adult women studied, 97.0% (n=2,013) were aware of the existence of malaria. Out of these, 83.0% (n=1,671) did not consider malaria to be a serious health problem that would need urgent attention. Educational level and marriage had a positive impact on knowledge about the disease (P< 0.05). Accessibility to information on malaria and general knowledge of the modes of transmission and control was generally low, and to a large extent influenced by their cultural beliefs, values and low economic strengths. There is a need to intensify adult health education and provision should be made for home health educators to raise peoples' knowledge about the disease. Policies meant to reduce the poverty level of the people should be put in place to raise their economic status.