Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a global pressing issue despite several interventions to reduce its prevalence. This study aimed at determining the knowledge and prevalence of malaria among rural households in the Western-North region of Ghana.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three rural communities in the Bibiani Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western-North region of Ghana. A total of 481 participants from 155 randomly selected households were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Socio-demographic data, information related to ITN and knowledge of malaria were collected using a semi-structured questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent association of variables with malaria.

Results: Malaria prevalence among participants was 39.1%. Prevalence was significantly higher among females (23.0%) and children under 5 years (12.6%) (p<0.05). Household ownership (83.9%) and the use of ITN (96.2%) were high in the Municipality. Although most participants had poor knowledge of malaria in terms of its transmission, the overall knowledge was good (54.2%). Having poor knowledge increased the risk of malaria infection (AOR=3.1, CI=0.89-10.7, p=0.07).

Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria was high among the study participants particularly among females and children under 5 years. Most of the participants had good knowledge of malaria in-terms of causative agent, signs and symptoms and preventive measures. However, knowledge on transmission pathways of malaria was poor. There is the need for increased community sensitization on malaria transmission and individual behaviours such as limiting time spent outside to minimize human-mosquito contact.

Keywords: Malaria; Prevalence; Knowledge; Ghana; Rural; Household