Assessment of knowledge,attitide and practice on Malaria among primary school children in kampala district ,Uganda

Abstract

strategies of UNMCP. The survey involved 953 pupils, and 10 FGDs involving 80 pupils. Pupils were from primary seven class and were aged 12 years and above. It was carried out in March and April in Kampala district in Uganda in 1995. Self- administered anonymous closed questionnaire and FGDs techniques were used. The objectives were to determine knowledge on malaria, sources of information on malaria and attitudes towards them, association with socio-demographic characteristics and malaria self-protection practices among primary seven pupils in Kampala. Malaria was among the common health problems in schools. Poor performance in class work, and absenteeism from school were some of the effects of malaria mentioned by pupils. Most of the pupils had misconceptions about the cause of malaria. Pupils showed high awareness of transmission, signs, treatments and preventive practices about malaria. Main sources of information on malaria in school were a teacher and books. Preferred sources were a teacher and a health worker. The most preferred channel was a television. Investigation of the magnitude of malaria among pupils and its effects is recommended. Workshops on malaria for teachers and health workers consolidating on the use of books and radio as media to motivate pupils to practice on malaria should be organized.

iii DECLARATION I, Turyabagenyi Charles William Ariho, hereby declare that the contents of this dissertation are my original work, and it has never been submitted or is being concurrently SUbmitted for a similar or higher degree in any other University. ~~~