Journal of Vector Borne Diseases (Sep 2007)
Predictors of knowledge about malaria in India
Abstract
Background & objectives: Reduction of malarial morbidity and mortality is important to meet theoverall objectives of reducing poverty and has been included in the Millennium Development Goals.To achieve these targets it is imperative to have active community participation to control malaria.Community participation in turn depends on people’s knowledge and attitude towards the disease.Thisstudy was conducted to examine the factors that predict the knowledge of Indian population regardingmalaria. A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted for data collection.Results: Data were collected from 15,750 adult respondents using a pre-tested questionnairerepresenting urban, rural, tribal and slum population from 21 states. Knowledge about various aspectsof malaria was tested using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was applied todetermine predictors of knowledge about etiology, clinical features, mode of transmission, preventionand control.Interpretation & conclusion: Common predictors of correct knowledge about etiology and clinicalfeatures of malaria were male sex and college education. Female sex, illiteracy and tribal populationwere more likely to have been associated with wrong beliefs about fatality of malaria. Being tribalrespondent was the single most important predictor of inadequate knowledge. Similarly, use of smokefor killing of adult mosquito was predicted by rural or slum residence and illiteracy. All findingswere based on logistic regression analysis. Geographical variations also influenced knowledge aboutmalaria. It may be inferred that improvement in knowledge, attitude and practices related to malariamay be attained only after looking at its predictors at micro level. However, a strategic framework atnational level is certainly needed to provide directions at local level.
