A comparative study of current perceptions, attitudes, awareness and practices on the use of indoor residual spraying for control of malaria in a rural and urban community in Kabale District.

Abstract

Regardless of many initiatives taken by government and international organizations such to reduce and completely whip out malaria, still malaria kills over 1.0 million people each year in Sub Saharan Africa. This could be due to several factors that may include communities’ attitudes , perceptions and practices towards programs aimed at reducing malaria incidences such as Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). This study was conducted to assess the current communities’ perceptions ,attitudes and awareness in control and prevention of malaria in an Urban and a Rural community in Kabale District. During the investigation changes in temperature ,rainfall and relative humidity were expected to directly affect malaria transmission dynamics Therefore this study was aimed at assessing the current peoples’ perceptions, attitudes and awareness towards Indoor Residual Spraying as a measure in control of malaria spread in the communities in Kabale District. It was also aimed at determining factors that could influence the attitudes and awareness levels towards programs to fight malaria spread. In this study the proxy-type of indicators were used since the issues which were monitored were difficulty to be measured directly. On awareness a comparision on the percentage on IRS as a long lasting method for malaria control with getting information on IRS . There was a big positive correlation meaning that communities were aware of IRS. Using the data collected from key informants and being that in Kabale IRS spraying was carried out in (2006 – 2007 ) using ICON , over 90% of the respondents stated that set the backs of the exercise included low awareness levels among the communities , inadequate sanitisation and misinformation that the chemicals used cause cancer. Generally majority suggested that in future a bi-annual IRS spraying should be carried out as it would reduce on malaria incidences in the area. The study recommended that there was need to senstise communities on IRS and try to differentiate it from DDT . That statistical figures should be availed for comparison and the benefits of using IRS be well spelt out . Also to encourage the use of ITNs and government to be involved in the struggle of fighting malaria.