Hi guys, finally did my Seminar defense and I thank God for his grace, love, favour, blessings and protection upon my life, for making this day come true.

This work is dedicated to God Almighty who saw me through, my family and friends for their love and unending support.

Abstract

Nigeria is among the countries with the highest global burden of malaria, and nearly everybody is at risk of this disease. Malaria is avoidable and curable, increased efforts are dramatically reducing the malaria burden globally. Adequately, community knowledge about malaria is crucial in order to improve malarial treatment, control and prevention by reducing exposure to the disease. Fever is the most common symptom of malaria. When a child has fever, parents or caregivers commonly treat them as if they were affected by malaria, whether right or wrong. 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. 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

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. However, constant public enlightenment as a reminder for the implementation of proper guidelines of home management on malaria treatment is necessary. This aids to avoid harmful practices, decisions and actions that occur at home for effective malaria treatment. Also, simple and reliable diagnostic test kits as well as effective and appropriate drugs for malaria treatment should be made available for easy accessibility when needed.

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