Perceptions and prevention practices on malaria among the indigenous Orang Asli community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

Malaria Journal

Sriwipa Chuangchaiya¹  Inke Nadia D. Lubis²  Zulkarnain Md Idris³  Mohd Amirul Fitri A. Rahim³  Emelia Osman³  Wathiqah Wahid³  Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat³  Muhd Rafiq Mohd Kasri⁴  Mohd Ikhwan Mukmin Seri Rakna⁴  Paul C. S. Divis⁵ 

[1] Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, 47000, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand;Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, 20154, Medan, Indonesia;Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;District Health Office of Gua Musang, 18300, Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia;Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia;

关键词: Knowledge;    attitude;    and practice (KAP);    Malaria;    Plasmodium knowlesi;    Indigenous population;    Malaysia;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12936-021-03741-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMalaysia is on track towards malaria elimination. However, several cases of malaria still occur in the country. Contributing factors and communal aspects have noteworthy effects on any malaria elimination activities. Thus, assessing the community’s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards malaria is essential. This study was performed to evaluate KAP regarding malaria among the indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia.MethodsA household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five remote villages (clusters) of Orang Asli located in the State of Kelantan, a central region of the country. Community members aged six years and above were interviewed. Demographic, socio-economic and KAP data on malaria were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsOverall, 536 individuals from 208 households were interviewed. Household indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bed net ownership were 100% and 89.2%, respectively. A majority of respondents used mosquito bed nets every night (95.1%), but only 50.2% were aware that bed nets were used to prevent malaria. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents (97.9%) were aware that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. Regarding practice for managing malaria, the most common practice adopted by the respondents was seeking treatment at the health facilities (70.9%), followed by self-purchase of medication from a local shop (12.7%), seeking treatment from a traditional healer (10.5%) and self-healing (5.9%). Concerning potential zoonotic malaria, about half of the respondents (47.2%) reported seeing monkeys from their houses and 20.1% reported entering nearby forests within the last 6 months.ConclusionThis study found that most populations living in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria. However, positive attitudes and practices concerning managing malaria require marked improvement.

【 授权许可】

CC BY