Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Malaria Prevention and Treatment among Residents of Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

The World Health Organisation has consistently reported poor control strategies in most malaria-endemic countries, such as Nigeria. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess residents' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding malaria treatment, prevention, and control in Awka metropolis of Anambra State. The study was conducted between February and June 2021, with participants selected randomly. Using a well-structured questionnaire, we evaluated their KAP concerning malaria treatment and prevention. To assess the reliability of the data collection tool, a review by three field experts was followed by a reliability analysis. At the end of the study, 60.3% of the 350 respondents demonstrated a good understanding of malaria prevention methods. A Likert scale score of 3.97 indicated a positive attitude among respondents towards malaria treatment. Over 90% of participants agreed that malaria is preventable. While all preventive measures were more frequently practised by participants, the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) was poorly utilised as a preventive measure. In conclusion, the respondents showed a good understanding of malaria infection, treatment, and control. However, despite this awareness, they do not consistently follow the recommended prevention practices. The study highlighted the need to train and retrain communities on the benefits of prevention and treatment practices as tools for effective malaria control and eradication.