Socio-demographic correlates of mass media exposure on malaria messages among Tanzanian male population: analysis of Tanzania demographic and health survey and malaria indicator survey 2022

Malaria is a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Mass media is an important tool for helping communities make informed decisions and learn various ways to prevent and treat malaria. Despite many studies showing that men are the dominant decision-makers in African families, few studies have considered men as important stakeholders in the prevention of malaria. Therefore, this study intends to assess the socio-demographic correlates of mass media exposure to malaria messages among men in Tanzania. The study involved a secondary analysis of the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS). The analysis included a weighted sample of 5,763 men. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were used to determine the association between demographic characteristics and mass media exposure to malaria messages. A cut-off point of p < 0.05 indicated a significant factor. The analysis indicated that most men (57.4%) had seen the malaria message. Radio was the predominant source of malaria messages among men in both urban and rural areas (78.44%), followed by television (43.27%). In addition, being aged 25–34 years (aOR: 1.35, 95% CI 1.50–1.94) and 35–49 years (aOR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.01–1.66), having primary education (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.69) and secondary education or above (aOR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.46–2.50), being in the rich quintile (aOR: 1.32, 95% CI 1.07–1.62), residing in urban areas (aOR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.40–3.76), listening to the radio at least once a week (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI 1.60–2.43), watching television at least once a week (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.27–1.94), reading newspapers at least once a week (aOR: 1.89, 95% CI 1.50–2.38), and owning a mobile telephone (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.26–1.74) were significantly associated with mass media exposure to malaria messages. Radio and television were the most reported media through which men heard about malaria messages, and all socio-demographic variables (age, education, area of residence, marital status, and wealth) were significant in determining exposure to malaria messages among Tanzanian men. Malaria prevention and control interventions targeting men should focus on using these media to deliver malaria messages effectively in the country.