Effect of health education on knowledge of malaria and long lasting insecticide-treated nets among clients accessing care in the out-patient Department of a Secondary Health Facility in Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria is a mosquito borne disease transmitted by female anopheles mosquito; it is life-threatening, preventable, and treatable. Approximately, 40% of the world's population is at risk of malaria. Most cases and deaths due to malaria are in sub Saharan Africa although Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and some parts of Europe are also affected.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of malaria and long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITNs) among clients assessing out-patient services in Seventh day Adventist (SDA) Hospital.

Methodology: A quasi experimental study conducted in 2013 among client assessing care at the Out-Patient Department of SDA Hospital Jengre, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State to determine the knowledge of malaria and LLITNs. EPI info statistical software version 3.5.4 was used for data analysis and 95% confidence interval was used in this study with a P ≤ 0.05 considered as statistically significant.

Result: The mean age of the respondents in this study was 36.04 ± 9.60 years. The level of knowledge on malaria improved significantly after the training (P < 0.001). Majority (98.8%) of the respondents had good knowledge of LLITNs after the training as against 77.4% who had same before the training (X² = 17.93; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of health education as vital tool for improving the knowledge of malaria and LLITNs.