[Malaria knowledge, attitudes and practices among women living in the rural area of Poponguine, Senegal]

Malaria is a major public health and development problem in Senegal where it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Children under five and pregnant women are the most vulnerable groups. The purpose of this transverse, descriptive, analytical study was to assess rural women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria. It was conducted in the Poponguine district of Senegal from April 1 to 15, 2005. The estimated population size needed for this cluster survey was 800. Women between the ages of 15 and 45 years who had been living in the district for more than one year were recruited for study. The mean age of the population was 28 years (95% confidence interval, 27.7 – 28.8). Teenagers accounted for over one eighth of the population (13.75%) and three fourths (75.87%) were married. Almost half (49.6%) were attending school and nearly two thirds (65.5%) were classified at the low socioeconomic level. Most (82.25%) knew that mosquitoes transmitted malaria and that the main signs were fever or warm body (82.25% and 81% respectively). However knowledge about the clinical features of severe malaria was poor. Geographical and financial access to IB was good for most of the women interviewed. Over half had a good understanding of preventive strategies for children less than five years of age and pregnant women, i.e., use of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) (62.9%) and of intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) during pregnancy (52.4%). Most (92%) declared that they would go to the health center for care in case of malaria. The main sources of information were medical personal (60.4%) or community volunteers (62,9%). Coverage for ITN and IPT was 33% and 71.1% respectively. There was a good correlation between good knowledge and practices (p<0.05). The main predictors of good knowledge were age and level of education. Practices by mothers were correlated with age, source of income, and marital status. Based on the findings of the study our recommendations for the Poponguine district are in agreement with those of the national malaria control program, i.e., reinforcement of the behavior change program to improve public knowledge about malaria. Further study will be needed to gain more epidemiological insight.