Some survey participants thought that malaria could be transmitted by drinking unboiled water.Credit: Gideon Mendel/ ActionAid/ The Image Bank Unreleased/ Getty Images
A survey in Tanzania on public understanding of malaria revealed a generally good grasp of the disease — including its signs, ways it spreads and prevention strategies — although some misunderstandings still persist.
Despite much progress being made against malaria over the past couple of decades, it still remains a major public health problem in much of Africa. In Tanzania, for example, 93% of the population are still at risk from infection.
A key strategy for curbing the disease is to improve community knowledge about it. It is thus vital to assess current knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding malaria.A team of researchers who are mostly in Tanzania conducted a survey to gauge community knowledge regarding malaria transmission in northwestern and southern Tanzania — areas of the country that are most affected by malaria.
They carried out 32 focus group discussions and 16 in-depth interviews with community members and service providers.
The results, published in Malaria Journal, revealed a generally good knowledge of malaria and how it is transmitted, although some survey participants thought it can be caught by bathing in or drinking unboiled water. Other misconceptions included that government-provided mosquito nets brought bedbugs, or caused impotence among men.
To reach the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria in Tanzania by 2030, the researchers propose improving health services and addressing misconceptions about prevention methods.
