International Journal of Medical Science and Pharmaceutical Research

Introduction: Malaria poses serious challenge to public health in Nigeria, and its burden adversely impacting on individuals and household’s wellbeing, productivity, nation’s economy, urban and rural development particularly in the study area. This study “Attitudinal Change; A Panacea for Malaria Control” was carried out in four communities; viz, Chakarum, Kogon Rak, KogonTah and Chaha of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. The knowledge, perception and attitude towards control and prevention programs (Roll Back Malaria in Nigeria) affect community compliance for effective eradication of malaria in the endemic areas. 

Materials and Methods: With ethical approval the subjects were recruited through advocacy visit. Semi-structured Questionnaires were administered to 500 respondents (ie.125 samples from each community). 2 ml of blood sample was collected from each subject into EDTA bottle. Thick and thin blood films were made and stained using 1 in 10 diluted Giemsa stain. 

Result: Out of the five hundred (500) blood samples examined, 314 (62.80%) were positive. From the positive samples, 179 (57.0 %) had high malaria density while 135 (43.0 %) had low density. The density was higher in Chakarum community having 75.3%, followed by KogonRak (73.5%), KogonTah (50.6%) and Chaha (34.8%). Those who involve in self-medication have 81.6% positivity while those who go to hospital for treatment have 51.3 % positivity.  Out of 314 positive cases, those that do not use bed net were 59.6% (187) positive while those that use bed net were 40.5% (127) positive. Among those who net-screened their windows, only 12.4% were malaria positive while 87.65% were positive in those who do not screen their windows with net. 

Conclusion: The negative attitude of the respondents towards control measures and treatment greatly attributed to high malaria infection in the study area. From the results, it may be deduced that a combination of the various control measures, viz, screening windows with net, use of Treated Mosquito Bed Net and a positive attitudinal observance of other preventive/control measures confer adequate protection from malaria infection. Medical Laboratory blood diagnostic screening and adhering to Physicians prescription for treatment will reduce the prevalence of malaria infection. 

Malaria, Attitude, Infection, Medication, Control

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