Assessment of Knowledge, Perception and Practices about Malaria in Some Rural Communities of South West Region, Cameroon

Tientche B^*, Fru-Cho J, Nota Anong D, Ngouakam H and Nkuo-Akenji TK
^*Correspondence: Tientche B, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, Cameroon, Email:

Keywords

Perceptions Knowledge • Practice • Misconception • Ekondo Titi

Introduction

Despite decades of control and prevention efforts, malaria remains one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality in the tropical regions of the world. Globally, there are approximately 219 million clinical cases and roughly 435 000 deaths due to malaria each year (WHO,2017). In Cameroon, an estimated 18 million people (about over 90% are at risk percent of the population) are at risk of infection, about 41% have at least one episode of malaria each year [1,2]. As recommended by the World Health Organization, Current interventions in Cameroon include, early diagnosis, artemisinin-based combination(ACT) therapies at subsidized cost for first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria cases, intermittent preventive therapy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for expectant mothers, free distribution of LLINs to pregnant women and children under five years old and the subsidizing of the cost of LLINs for other people [3], and training in the community of local health assistants capable of managing uncomplicated malaria cases and providing adequate advice to families [2].

Despite the considerable effort made to control malaria, the disease is responsible for 56% of consultations, 54% of hospital admissions and 53% of deaths among children below five years are due to malaria that in the South West Region of Cameroon [4,5]. According to the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health, 31% of consultations, 44% of hospitalizations and 18% of deaths occurring in health facilities are attributed to malaria [6]. Major Anopheles species incriminated include: anophele gambiae, Anophele arabiensis, Anophele funestus, Anophele Anophele moucheti, Anophele Nili [7].

However, the epidemiological pattern of the disease varies from region to region and even from time to time [8]. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in the Mount Cameroon region varies from 60.6%, in low land altitude to 7.7% in the highlands [9]. Tchinda reported that only 52% of households possess any net, only 36% own a LLIN, and only 28% of children below 5 years were reported to have slept under a net, with 21% under a LLIN. The indoor residual spraying (IRS) is not implemented because of high transaction costs and lack of data for proper planning and decision, except few pilot operation [10,11].

Deficient knowledge on malaria treatment guidelines and irrational use of antimalarials have been reported from Cameroon [3]. In a study among 1197 health service users in northern Cameroon, only 1% identified mosquitoes as a source of transmission [12]. Geographical locations, tropical climate, and socio-economic conditions make appropriate condition for occurrence and persistent transmission of malaria in this region [13].

The practice of malaria preventive measures has been related to the level of knowledge and belief of people [14]. Social and cultural factors, although less directly studied, are also important determinants to adherence to preventive measures, therefore, can negatively influence the choice, acceptance, and use of malaria control interventions [15]. In rural Ghana, malaria treatment was often reported to be a combination of both traditional and modern methods. Treatment takes the form of self-medication at home with anti-malarial, herbal medicines and other modalities [16]. Nkuo-Akenji reported that proper health education of village mothers has proved to reduce under-five malaria morbidity and mortality significantly in Cameroon [17].

Studies about knowledge, attitudes, and practices on malaria have not received much attention in Cameroon. Data on the quantitative assessment of malaria burden in Cameroon rural areas where over 47% of the Cameroon population live and the community attitudes and knowledge on malaria are currently lacking. Understanding local knowledge about malaria can help in designing sustainable community-based malaria control programs that will lead to behavior change and the adoption of new ideas and technology [18].

To prepare for a successful malaria control program, it is necessary to evaluate the level of awareness, attitudes, and practices of people living in at-risk areas. This is required to get the full participation of the community in surveillance and control activities such as the use of LLINs [19].

Thus, the objective of this study is to generate information on knowledge, perceptions, and practices and the preventive measures as regards to malaria in a remote, rural, and farming community in Ekondo Titi Subdivision, South West region of Cameroon.

Methods

Study population

This study took place in Ekondo Titi Subdivision which has been described elsewhere (Tientche et al., 2016). The subdivision is made up of the maritime and the land area. The main land is composed of 26 villages. The maritime is composed of a very rich mangrove forest. The main land area is made up of an equatorial evergreen forest rich variety of fauna and floral. This forest and its biodiversity are alarmingly degrading by small holders, agro-industries like Pamol Plantations Plc (PPL) and Cameroon Development Coorporation (CDC), unsustainable illegal logging, subsistence and cash crop agriculture (palm oil and cocao) and poaching for bush meat. Slash and burn are very common farming practices in this forested area. With respect to hydrology network, the Rumpi Hills constitutes the main catchment area from which the River Meme, Ndian, and Ma’a (which are the main rivers in the Sub Division) take their rise and drain into the Atlantic Ocean. These rivers increase in volumes in the rainy season and reduce in the dry season. In addition to these main rivers there are numerous streams and springs. The sub Division also possesses a mangrove forest and creek which are breeding sites and habitat of diverse fish and other aquatic species. Poorly maintained earth roads rock the whole area and they often become very bad during the rainy seasons.

Participant selection and data collection

This was a household-based study that involved face-to-face interviews with heads of households. Investigations were conducted in 09 communities including Kitta Balue, Ngolo Metoko, Masore Balue, Bongongo Barombi I, Bogongo Barombi II, Bekora Barombi, Lipenja Barombi, Lipenja Camp, Kumbe Balondo. Sites selected were rural, isolated, typically enclaved and largely covered by tropical rainforests with diverse ethnic groups.

The house of the village chief was considered as the starting-point and subsequently all participants who consented to the study. A household was defined as the entity in which people live together and have a meal from a common cooking facility, and a householder was defined as the person who is perceived by members of the household as the key decision-maker in the family (Ahmed et al., 2009) [20]. Parents (household head or his spouse) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted in private to reduce the influence of other people. The questionnaires were constructed in English and interviews were conducted in the local language and in pidgin through the help of community health workers. The questionnaire was in a closed-ended format, with some questions allowing open-ended answers.

Ethical consideration

The study obtained ethical clearance from the Regional Delegation of Public Health, Buea. A supportive letter was obtained from the District Health Officer at Ekondo Titi before data collection and written informed consent was obtained from voluntary participants during data collection. The respondents were assured of their right to withdraw from the interview at any time they would wish during the exercise.

Data analysis

Once recorded, the data were entered in an Excel database and exported to SPSS 20.0 for analysis. Pearson chi-square was applied to compare proportions. The association between variables was assessed using 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). In addition to textual descriptions, results were summarized in the form of tables and figures

Results

Baseline characteristics of respondents

A total of 851 household’s heads were interviewed, including 371 (43.6%) females and 480 (56.4%) males Table 1. About 122 (14.3%) did not acquire any formal education, and the majority of participants 562 (66.0%) completed primary school education, while only 1.8% had attended tertiary education. The highest illiteracy rate 17(32.7%) was observed in Masore Balue Figure 1. Detailed socio-demographic characteristics are presented in Table 1. A total of 602 (70.7%) of the respondents were married while a negligible number 25 (2.9%) being divorced. The economic activity carried by the vast majority of the respondents was farming 438 (51.5%) while a good number, 276((32.4%) were working as laborers in Pamol Plantations Ltd. With regard to education level and sex of the population with no formal education by villages, women accounted for 54.9% while nearly 60% of males have completed primary school respectively Table 2.

Knowledge of malaria transmission

When asked ‘How does a person get malaria? The majority of respondents 449(58.2%) correctly identified mosquitoes as transmitting malaria, while 207(26.8%) did not identify any mechanism for malaria transmission Table 3. Even though, a majority of respondents were aware of the cause of malaria, a sizable proportion 177 (28.8%) still had misconceptions, such as drinking dirty water, overwork and walk and standing in the sun as the causes of malaria transmission Table 3. Less frequently mentioned causes were exposure to fire, poor environment, or eating a specific food such as cassava semolina (water fufu*). Correct knowledge of respondents regarding the transmission of malaria was significantly associated with participant’s community (p=0.001) Table 3. Bogongo Barombi II and Ngolo Metoko communities were found better in identifying the cause of malaria than those participants from Bekora Barombi and Kitta Balue (p=0.01). The study revealed no gender (χ2=0.58; p=0.0809) Table 4 nor levels of education (χ2=8.811; p=0.066) Table 5 significant differences in respondents' s knowledge of malaria transmission by mosquito bite.

Knowledge of prevention

Pertaining to the methods of preventing malaria Table 6, avoiding stagnant water 507(60.9%) and Clearing of bushes 596(71.5%) were reported as the primary means. Only 93(11.05%) of respondents acknowledged the usage of net as a barrier to mosquito bite. Among those who believed that malaria is preventable, 98(11.8%) reported residual indoor house spraying, 183(22.0%) mentioned the usage of mosquito coil and 84(10.1%) indicated chemoprophylactic treatment. Concomitantly, a high number of participants 392(47.1%) acknowledged the use of traditional medicine. Knowledge of respondents about preventive measures was significantly different among various communities (p<0.05) Table 6. Table 7 demonstrated that household heads with higher educational status were more likely to use chemoprophylactic treatment to avoid malaria (p=0.001).

Household use of LLINs

Ninety-three households 93(11.05%) surveyed owned LLINs and all of these were given to them freely when a household member delivered a baby. The usage of net varied significantly among various communities (P=0.001) Table 8 and was not significantly associated with the level of education in various communities (χ2=7.533 p=0.110) Table 9. The use of nets on doors was found in 34(4.04%) respondents, who used them not only for a physical barrier against mosquito bite but also for malaria prevention. The use of the net on windows was very low at 13(1.54%).

Period of last malaria episode

The Period of last malaria episode among the respondents is presented in Figure 2. Thirty-nine point nine (39.9%) of participants indicated that they experienced the last malaria episode more than three months ago, 21% contracted malaria less than 1 weeks ago while 10% of participants acknowledged to have had a bout of malaria two to three weeks ago.

Discussion

The current study was carried out in 9 villages in Ekondo Titi Subdivision, South West Region, Cameroon to provide baseline information about malaria-related knowledge, practices, and behavior to be used in the development of community health education in order to increase community participation in the prevention and control of malaria. Understanding community perception about malaria and the underlying intervention for its management has a policy implication for mounting successful prevention and control initiatives [19].

In this endemic area, people are aware of the role of mosquito bites in the transmission of malaria. The majority of the respondents 470 (58.2%) mentioned that mosquito bite was the possible cause of malaria. Our result is lower than those reported in some sub-Saharan countries [21,22] but higher than that reported by Eyobo [23] in South Sudan and Aikpon (2015) in Ethiopia. These are not encouraging results when compared to 82% [2] and 88% [14] reported in other parts of Cameroon. The difference might be due to the lack of house-to-house health extension services, the absence of health education, communication and electricity to get access to information broadcast by media houses. The correct knowledge of transmission of malaria by mosquito bite was not found significantly associated with gender (χ2= 0.58, p = 0.809).

Twenty point eight percent (28.8%) of respondents had misconception regarding the mode of transmission of malaria such as midges, drinking dirty water, standing or walking in the sun. Other misconceptions including; fire, eating contaminated food, fever, overwork, poor environment. This finding is consistent with the study [24] (29%), Ndo 2011(18%) despite considerable efforts deployed by the Cameroon government for malaria control. Likewise, misconceptions have been reported in other studies in Nigeria and in Ethiopia [25,26]. Poor nutrition and alcohol consumption can compromise a person’s immune status and this may explain why few participants ascribed malaria to food and alcohol consumption [27]. It is critical to correct such misconceptions through simple health education messages if the NMCP (National Malaria Control Programme) has to sustain and increase its successes.

Interestingly, there was a significant difference between gender as regard to the exposure to the sun in the transmission of malaria (p=0.001). As the primary caregivers at home, this belief regarding the role of the sun in malaria transmission may be detrimental to children's health as their mother might be reluctant to use ITN as a preventive method. Nkuo-Akenji indicated that proper health education of villagers, particularly mothers is an important strategy that would reduce malaria morbidity and mortality significantly. Consequently, Health education needs to be context-sensitive, i.e. mindful of how knowledge will ultimately be transformed into action [28].

The low literacy level could also have played a significant role in this level of awareness. This could be understood by the high illiteracy rate 684 (80.3%) observed in these communities.

Comparatively, respondents of urban centres such as Douala and Yaoundé [2], Ilorin [21], have a higher level of malaria awareness compared to rural centres [29]. This discrepancy on malaria knowledge between urban and rural settings reflects the differences in socioeconomic status, educational level and access to information. Literacy can affect the success of the malaria control program as the illiteracy level has also a direct correlation with the prevalence of disease along with other factors. With the high illiteracy rates, lack of formal education and geographic isolation, the information and communication delivery mechanism should be made accessible to these communities.

The main types of malaria preventive measures frequently reported by the current study participants include: avoiding stagnant water 70%, clearing of bushes 61%. This agrees with observations from Ethiopia [30] and Nigeria [2] but lower than that of Humphrey [21]. In the rural areas, the attribution by the respondents of physical, environmental and dietary factors as causative agents of malaria underscores the need for effective intervention to improve the level of knowledge in these communities. This is not surprising, because the message “environmental sanitation” is an important component of the National Malaria Control Programme and the key for local administration to maintain a clean environment. More than half of the respondents demonstrated a gap of knowledge on the real cause of malaria (26.8% I did not know how the disease was transmitted, 28.8% had misconceptions) and that was similar to the findings of Humphrey [31]. The lack of knowledge about the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission will jeopardize control measures if this is not addressed appropriately. Astonishingly, no currently recommended World Health Organization (WHO) interventions for malaria prevention such as IRS is implemented in the areas while LLINs distribution is inconsistent, sporadic and insufficient.

Shockingly, 47.2% of the studied population mentioned taking native concoction as prophylaxis to prevent the occurrence of malaria. These findings were higher than that of Oguonu (2005) who found out that 17% of caregivers in Nigeria would take native concoctions as malaria preventive measures whereas in Uganda [30] more than 70% of people with malaria did not seek care from the public health institutions [32]. This may be attributable to lack of education and communication by the local health authorities, the inaccessibility to mass media and difficulty to physically get access to public health institutions. Interventions strategies are yet to be implemented in these enclaved communities. The implementation of NightWatch strategies including the use of credible and popular local celebrities as messengers, distributing consistent messages across multiple concerts and public events in these remote areas over time will raise community awareness and mobilization in the fight against malaria.

It is estimated 136 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) were distributed to endemic countries in 2012 [33]. In Cameroon, promotion and periodic distribution of ITNs have been going on for more than 8 years. Government, private and non-governmental organizations have been involved in ITNs sourcing and distribution. More astonishing and less encouraging it is that, out of the 851 respondents, only 93(11.05%) possessed at least one mosquito bed net and they got it from the government during the first-ever mass distribution campaign in 2008. Household heads mentioned that a household member would receive a single ITN, but this is only when she had delivered a child. The ITNs use rate found in this study is considerably lower than 80% which is the targeted coverage of the Roll Back Malaria [7]. Moreover, these findings are similar to that of Krezanoski (2010) in Madagascar and lower than that observed by Mayala (2015) in Tanzanian and Musoke (2015) [34-36] in Uganda. Studies by Kimbi (2014b) [19] reported that 47% of respondents in rural Bolifamba used ITNs for protection against malaria while in urban centre like Yaoundé, Ndo [2] reported 69%. The ownership of ITNs was significantly different among various communities (P<.0.001). This discrepancy may be due to poor state of roads leading to some communities such as Kitta Balue, Ngolo Metoko, and Kombe Balondo. The usage of nets was not significantly associated with education level (χ2=7.533, p=0.110).

During fieldwork, bed net use was observed to be irregular. Some members of the household did not necessarily sleep under one, and the main constraint mentioned was heat it generates at night. Others stated that they use it for fishing because of the good mesh size, drying and packaging 'egusi' melon seeds (Colocynthis citrullus L.) for protection against rodents. Those not having ITNs (85.27%) reported that, since their purchasing power is so limited, they cannot afford ITNs. Studies in other parts of Cameroon [10,19,35] and elsewhere [37] have shown that decrease rates of malaria transmission and subsequent morbidity when ITNs/LLINs were widely distributed. One of the key component in the prevention and control of malaria at community level by the National Malaria Control Program is the selection and training of community health workers (CHWs). The CHWs can serve as a bridge between the public health authorities and the communities in the distribution of LLINs in order to make mosquito nets available to all members of the communities.

Four points zero four percent 4.04% reported to use door screens while window screens were used by 1.54% of respondents. These findings are in agreement with previous studies in rural as well as urban areas, which showed that people's use of door screens as their malaria preventive measures was still very low [2,32]. In the case of door screens, frequent opening of the door during entry and exit of household members limits this barrier method of preventing human-vector contact [32].

The number of respondents who claimed to have experienced any malaria episode (21.0%) a week before the interview was phenomenal, considering that malaria is endemic in this area. In the present study, the proportion of malaria occurrence within three months showed that 39.9% of all the respondents have experienced the disease at least one time, which is a serious cause for alarm. These are comparable to findings in Tanzania where respondents had 1–2 episodes of malaria per year and over 71% did not attend to any farm activity [38]. Similarly, in Nigeria children had 0-5 episodes and adults had 0-1 episodes during a year [39]. The majority of people with symptomatic malaria episodes are treated at home because of inaccessibility to the community by road. This recurrent malaria episode experienced by participants could be attributed to frequent exposure to infective mosquito bites, absence of preventive measures or respondents may have considered every other fever as malaria. The proximity to the thick equatorial forest also provides appropriate breeding sites for malaria vectors.

This study had three main limitations. First, our data and conclusions are based on participant responses, and therefore reflect what participants have told us, and cannot be verified. Secondly, this study lacks data on participant’s sources of malaria information and lastly health-seeking behavior of the head of households was not ascertained. The physical inaccessibility of some villages due to the very poor state of roads was a serious constraint in this study [40-42].

Conclusions

This study showed that most people had fair knowledge about malaria prevention and control. Despite this fair knowledge and good attitudes, practices towards malaria prevention and control were very poor. The level of knowledge on the transmission of malaria and the level of ownership of ITNs as a preventive measure against malaria was very low among the household members in the study population. The present study also showed that a considerable proportion of respondents had misconceptions about the cause and transmission of malaria. In order to close the gap between knowledge about transmission and ownership and use of bed nets as a preventive measure, the CHWs activities need to be re-energized and Night Watch concept implemented to out-of-reach, rural and remote communities. Such interventions will aim at improving the knowledge of rural dwellers regarding malaria and should involve the active participation of members of the community, traditional healers, and more importantly should be sustainable.

Acknowledgments

We want to acknowledge University of Buea for giving any support required to carry out this research. We thank the participants from the communities who made this study possible and the village Chiefs who assisted with this work. We would also like to express our appreciation to Betombo Tabitha Ongle, a health worker who serves as a translator during the study period. Our deepest appreciation goes to Mr. Kamadje Albert for his unlimited and financial support.

Conflicts of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest concerning the work reported in this paper

1. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, South West Region, Cameroon. Tel: (237) 6 74 53 47 22, E-mail: tientcheb@yahoo.com

2. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, South West Region, Cameroon.Tel: (237) 6 76 03 38 46, Email:Jerome1.frucho@gmail.com

3. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, South West Region, Cameroon.Tel: (237) 6 77 73 48 16, Email: damian.anong@ubuea.cm

4. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science. Tel:(237) 6 70 39 54 24 Email:tiigou4@yahoo.com

5. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, South West Region, Cameroon. Tel: (237) 6 77 77 07 98, E-mail: wifon@yahoo.com

Authors’ Contributions

BT participated in the design of the study, in data collection and the writeup of the manuscript. JFC participated in the design and data collection. DNA conceived the study, participated in the design and coordination, and revision of the manuscript. HN participated in data analysis and revision of the manuscript. TKN conceived the study, participated in the design, the write-up of the manuscript and revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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