MALARIA RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND USE OF ARTEMISININ-BASED COMBINATION THERAPY AMONG STUDENTS OF SCHOOL OF NURSING ELEYELE, IBADAN. OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Malaria, a protozoan infectious disease, is endemic in Nigeria with very high population at risk of infection and most of them are due to Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite is transmited by mosquitoes and accounts for 90% of malaria cases in Africa and almost all malaria death worldwide. The treatment of malaria in Nigeria today is presumptuously dependent on the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy which was recommended by the WHO as the first line drug for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy known as ACT is a combination of artemether and lumefantrine. The correct use of ACT has not been fully explored; therefore this study was designed to assess malaria-related knowledge, perception and use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy among students of School of Nursing, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study which involved purposive sampling technique, involving all three classes of 150 students in the school of nursing. Data were collected through a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire which included questions on sociodemographic characteristics of respondents, knowledge and perception of malaria, use of ACT, and knowledge of the National Policy on Malaria Treatment. Knowledge on malaria and ACT was measured on a 78-point scale, scores ≥39 was categorised as good knowledge and score ≤39 was categorised as poor. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics at p = 0.05 level of significance. The mean score for the age of the respondents was 18.67±3.4 and 35.3% were Year One class. Majority (78.0%) of the respondents had a good knowledge of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy with score of 17.1±6.7.Some of the respondents (46%) had the knowledge that plasmodium is the cause of malaria, 52% of the respondents had the knowledge that female anopheles mosquito is the cause of malaria. Majority (94.7%) had good knowledge that fever is one of the signs and symptoms of uncomplicated malaria. Few (16.7%) perceived that ACT related medicines should not be used for treating under-five children because of the associated side effect. Some (37.3%) of the respondents stated that ACT are not always available in health care facilities so it is better to use chloroquine that is very common. Majority (69.3%) had heard of Artmether Lumenfantrin commonly called “Coartem” and 46.7% of the respondents were sure of the adult dosage. Few (18.0%) of the respondents had heard about the National Policy on Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment. Very few (6.0%) of the respondents had a copy of the policy. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of ACTs but in-training service on the use of this drug is suggested.