HOME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG CAREGIVERS ON MALARIA TREATMENT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CANTER AMANSEA, AWKA NORTH LGA.
Am wowed guys, finally am a graduate. Did my final defense already, Bsc bagged and acquired in Parasitology and Entomology department.
I
am indebted to God Almighty for giving me an opportunity to excel in my efforts
to complete this project work. My heartfelt gratitude to my project supervisor
Dr. P. U. Umeanaeto for her valuable suggestions and guidance in the
preparation of this project work. I will be failing in duty if I do not
acknowledge with grateful thanks to the authors of the references and other
literatures referred to in this work. I am extremely grateful to my parents for
providing all the required resources for the successful completion of my
project.
ABSTRACT
Nigeria is among the countries with highest global
burden of malaria, and nearly everybody is at risk of this disease. The study
carried out was critically evaluated in the area between May and June 2021. To
explore the effectiveness of the various home management practices among
caregivers on malaria treatment relating it to the prevalence of malaria in
Primary Health Care Center Amansea, Awka North LGA of Anambra State. Data was
collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Two hundred
respondents consisting of both caregivers and their children were selected
using systematic random sampling method. The parasitological technique used for
the malaria test on children was Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). Data were
analyzed with SPSS version 25.0. The results of this study clearly indicates
that the level of knowledge of mothers and caregivers about causes, symptoms
and preventive measures of malaria is very high which shows that they are well
informed and provided with guidelines on the early recognition of its signs and
symptoms of malaria. Caregivers attitude concerning the use of preventive
measures and home treatment is greatly influenced by a lot of reasons which
high cost of hospital bills is found to be only 53.5% amongst many of them. . However, quite a good number of caregivers
sought appropriate treatment from doctors (43.0%) irrespective of their
differences. The prevalence of malaria in the study area is 18.0% which is low
and has a significant difference according to occupation. Mothers are usually
the first to recognize the signs and symptoms of malaria because they are the
ones who take care of their children at home. Therefore, home management
practices among caregivers on malaria treatment is very important to ensure
that the first line of treatment given by caregivers are appropriate.
DISCUSSION
The
effectiveness of home management of malaria depends upon early diagnosis,
prompt and appropriate treatment; therefore, proper health education about this
disease is crucial (Olayinka, 2017). The results of this study clearly
indicates that the level of knowledge of mothers and caregivers about causes,
symptoms and preventive measures of malaria is very high which shows that they
are well informed and provided with guidelines on the early recognition of its
signs and symptoms of malaria. This is expected, for the fact that majority of
the respondents has basic education accompanied with programmes and special
campaignes which helps to enlighten the caregivers. Therefore, this does
justifies the fact that there is a significant difference between the
characteristics and different levels of education among caregivers on the
preferred mode of malaria treatment at home by level of education. Further, the
present studies indicated that these practices are dependent on the educational
status of the caregivers or mothers (Egbuche et al, 2011).
Caregivers
attitude concerning the use of preventive measures and home treatment is
greatly influenced by a lot of reasons which high cost of hospital bills is
found to be only 53.5% amongst many of them. These reasons made mothers to
resort to home management practices in treatment of malaria. In respect to
these reasons, caregivers thereby sought for medical treatment in different
places based on present concerns despite the good knowledge. However, quite a good number of caregivers
sought appropriate treatment from doctors (43.0%) irrespective of differences. Early
treatment and appropriate use of health facilities for malaria treatment within
24hours of fever (80.0%) wasn’t poor either compared to caregivers who delay
when seeking treatment and practice not using health facilities within 24 hours
of the onset of fever. These behaviours of the caregivers could improve, it is
necessary to improve awareness on the pattern of caregivers towards programmes
and initiatives that target eradicating malaria (Manaf et al, 2017).
Nigeria
has made remarkable progress in malaria control, with decline in prevalence
from 42% in 2010 to 23% in 2018 (WHO, 2021). Treatment of malaria depends on
many factors including disease severity, the species of malaria parasite
causing the infection, and the part of the world in which the infection was
acquired. The prevalence of malaria in the study area is 18.0% which is low and
has a significant difference according to occupation. Awareness about malaria
and appropriate preventive behavior for malaria influence appropriate health
seeking behavior (Manaf et al, 2017).
This study also reflects the reports in the past few years, recording reduction
in malaria burden and death. Malaria remains a public health challenge. While
Nigeria witnessed largest reduction in malaria death in 2019 (WHO, 2021). Home-based treatment is a simple and
effective initiative that is revolutionizing the treatment of malaria in
Nigeria and Africa, putting essential drugs and know-how into the hands of
those who most need them – mothers and community based caregivers. To prevent
malaria infection and promote malaria free zones, understanding the community’s
knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward malaria control are essential.
CONCLUSION
