Enhancing mothers home management and prevention of malaria through community health nursing interventions

Abstract

Abstract Background: Malaria contributes significantly to under-five mortality in Nigeria. Home management and prevention of malaria are key interventions for its control. However, effectiveness of these interventions require mothers' adequate knowledge and appropriate skills. The 2011 Disease surveillance and notification report of Osun state showed that the under-five malaria burden in Egbedore Local Government Area (LGA) was more than one third of the total in the state for all age groups in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This study assessed effects of nurse-led health education and supportive supervision on knowledge and practice of home management and prevention of malaria by mothers of under-five in the LGA. Materials and method: The study utilized quasi experimental design. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 837 mothers of under-fives in seven out of ten wards of the LGA. The mothers were randomly assigned into one Control Group (CG) and two intervention groups: Health Education Group (HEG) and Health Education and Supportive Supervision Group (HESSG). The study instruments were observation checklist and structured questionnaire. Data collection was at pre- (P1) and post-interventions at one month (P2), three months (P3) and six months (P4). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi square test and ANOVA at p = 0.05. Results: There were significant improvements in overall knowledge scores of the intervention groups at post-intervention. These improvements appreciably translated to better practice of home management and prevention of malaria and this relationship was significant. The home environment, headship of family and family structure significantly influenced home management and prevention of malaria. Conclusion: Nurse-led health education and supportive supervision improved knowledge and practice of home management and prevention of malaria in Egbedore LGA. These approaches are therefore recommended.