Abstract:
Background: Knowledge about the modes of transmission and preventive measures of malaria are important
preceding factors for the acceptance and use of proven control tools by the community.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) about modes of malaria transmission and preventive
methods in the study areas.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three urban areas of Assosa zone, Western Ethiopia from January
to February, 2006. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS for windows version 12.0.1. Adjusted odds ratio and 95%
confidence intervals were employed to test the strength of association.
Results: About 48% of the study participants were aware that malaria can be transmitted by mosquito bites. Thirty
percent (30%), of respondents were aware that mosquitoes carry disease causing microorganism, 95% were aware that
mosquitoes bite during night, and 61% were aware that mosquitoes rest at dark places inside the house. Sleeping under
a mosquito net and eliminating mosquito-breeding sites were identified by 58% and 52% of respondents, respectively,
as major malaria preventive measures. Respondents’ education and wealth status were associated with comprehensive
knowledge on malaria preventive measures (OR= 2.42, 95% CI: 1.09, 5.4 and OR= 3.89, 95% CI: 1.99, 7.6,
respectively).
Conclusion: Knowledge of the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission and comprehensive knowledge about
malaria prevention strategies among the study population were observed to be lower than 50%. Comprehensive
behavioral change and communication is required to improve the knowledge of the mode of malaria transmission and
its preventive and control measures. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2007;21(2):157-165
