Malaria Prevention And Treatment Practices Among Mothers of Children Under Five Years in Adetan Municipality

ABSTRACT 

Background: Malaria is endemic in Ghana, posing serious public health challenge to the development of Ghana. Currently, it is ranked number one among the causes of admission of children under five years; likewise the number one cause of death of children under five years in Ghana. Despite prevention strategies introduced, it maintains its top spot. This study assessed knowledge of mothers of children under five years in Adentan Municipality regarding malaria, their prevention methods practiced, challenges and their treatment seeking practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed malaria related knowledge, prevention, challenges and treatment seeking practices in Adentan Municipality of Greater Accra Region in Ghana. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to 363 mothers of children under five years drawn by systematic sampling to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics, malaria knowledge, malaria prevention practices, challenges, and treatment seeking practices for their under-five. Results: Majority of respondents had good knowledge of malaria, 87.6% prevented their child from malaria, the prevention strategies are; use of drugs, repellants, bed nets, insecticide treated nets (ITNs), insecticide spray, protective clothing, environment cleaning and use of multiple strategies. ITN was the commonest strategy utilized. Challenges included discomfort, cost, irritation, skin conditions, allergies, tear and difficulty in tacking ITNs. 74.4% of respondent’s child had a positive history of fever, 32.8% had been admitted due to fever, 3.8% had history of unconsciousness, 4% had history of convulsion and 0.3% has lost a child after developing fever, being unconscious or convulsed. 36.3% tepid sponge their child as first response to fever, 86.2% took their child to the health facility on persistence of fever. 41.2% took their first action in less vi than 24 hours. There was significant association between mothers’ level of education and knowledge of malaria, knowledge and prevention of malaria, child’s age and history of fever, knowledge of malaria and history of fever, knowledge of malaria and history of death. Conclusion: Health information given to mothers during antenatal visits, visits to the infant and child clinic and the adoption of the Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) was responsible for the high knowledge of malaria. The delay in seeking treatment suggests the need for an emphasis of prompt seeking of care.