Knowledge and beliefs about malaria transmission and practices for vector control in southern Mexico
Rodríguez, Aérico.David.; Penilla, R.Patricia.; Henry-Rodríguez, M.; Hemingway, J.; Francisco Betanzos, A.; Hernández-Avila, J.Eugenio.
Salud Publica de Mexico 45(2): 110-116
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-3634 PMID: 12736989 Document Number: 251022
Objective: To investigate the knowledge and beliefs about malaria transmission and practices for vector control in 8 villages in the coastal plain of Chiapas, Mexico. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during May-June 1995. A questionnaire to investigate family structure, knowledge on malaria transmission, preventive measures and attitudes towards seeking treatment was given to both family heads (n=498; 251 women and 247 men) of 277 families. Associations were analysed by estimating odds ratios with confidence intervals and P values using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results: Malaria knowledge was poor and only 48% associated malaria with mosquito bites. The perceived benefit of indoor residual spraying was associated to a reduction of mosquitoes, a reduction in the number of cockroaches and rats, but only 3% associated it directly with the prevention of malaria transmission. Most villagers (97.6%) agreed with indoor residual spraying of insecticides. Ninety-nine percent of villagers had mosquito bed nets, 75.7% used them all year round. Other measures used by villagers to prevent mosquito bites were smoke and mosquito coils. More than 40% of villagers self-medicated when any member of the family had a fever episode, but 51% attended proper health services (community dispensary, private physician, health worker). About 61% used pesticides for agricultural or livestock purposes and 55% applied them themselves. Women had a greater participation as family health promoters, with 70% of the housewives being in charge of the application of self-protection preventive measures. Conclusions: Educational programmes aimed at increasing awareness on the participation of mosquitoes on malaria transmission could promote community participation in malaria control in the region.