Effect of Health Education through Community leaders on increased knowledge of Households Regarding malaria control, treatment and prevention in intervention and control villages of New Halfa Locality-Kassala State (2017-2020)

Abstract

Malaria vector control in Sudan has a long history. The primary vector control interventions are IRS in targeted areas with irrigation schemes, use of LLINs, LSM, and space spraying during an emergency. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Health Education through Community leaders on increased knowledge of Households Regarding malaria control, treatment and prevention in intervention and control villages of New Halfa Locality-Kassala State (2017-2020). Randomized community trials (Controlled intervention study) in New Halfa locality among two communities were randomly assigned to the intervention group which receive health education messages regarding the use of LLINs and control group where there is no health education. A standard Questionnaire was used to collect data from the head of household at each village. The information collected should include the owner and  using LLINs, distributed to household. The observation the conditions of LLINs. This Questionnaire was done with committee for integrated vector management - Federal Ministry of Health and WHO. There were association between education level and overall mean knowledge of respondents about mosquito breeding sites, malaria control, uncomplicated malaria symptoms, severe malaria symptoms, and uncomplicated malaria treatment, severe malaria treatment, and fever treatment, p < 0.05. However, the overall mean knowledge was significantly more significant among those who have University education were compared to other level of education, p< 0.05. An increase knowledge scores was observed when pre- and post-test scores on malaria prevention and control were compared. Health education packages.i.e., mass media messages during Bed nets campaigns and the role of community leaders on malaria, was found to have improved knowledge of malaria prevention and control among the studied community.