Utilization of malaria preventive methods among children diagnosed with malaria in Maputo, Mozambique

Abstract

Degree Project Thesis, Programme in Medicine. TITLE: Utilization of malaria preventive methods among children diagnosed with malaria in Maputo, Mozambique. Abstract Background: Malaria is a preventable infectious disease affecting millions of people each year. Mozambique is highly burdened with almost 3 million cases annually, and malaria is the primary cause of child mortality in the country. An important step in lowering the high morbidity caused by malaria is the use of preventive methods such as mosquito nets, repellents and insecticides. Large-scale bed net distributions have taken place in Africa, yet far from all children are protected by a bed net every night. Objectives: Investigate the utilization of malaria preventive methods in the home of children diagnosed with malaria. Further identify reasons for not using any preventive method and evaluate the knowledge about malaria transmission and prevention. Method: Semi-quantitative study based on semi-structured interviews held with caregivers to children diagnosed with malaria at José Macamo Hospital in Maputo. Results: Twenty-four out of 28 caregivers had a mosquito net, but the use of repellents and insecticides was low. The most commonly mentioned reason for not owning a bed net or not using insecticides or repellents was inability to pay for them. Several bed net owning caregivers stated that their child did not use the net every night, with the most common reasons being travelling/not sleeping at home or thinking that there were not many mosquitoes. Many caregivers stated incorrect, or no knowledge of, malaria transmission (32%) and prevention (25%) and the children of these caregivers slept under a bed net every night to a lesser extent than children of caregivers possessing correct knowledge. Conclusions: Continued distribution of preventive means, along with provision of adequate information, is important in securing effective malaria prevention in all households. Keywords: malaria, prevention, knowledge, bed nets, children, Mozambique