Malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among adolescents living in an area of persistent transmission in Senegal: Results from a cross-sectional study

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Abstract Introduction While malaria morbidity has sharply declined in several areas in Senegal, it remains an important problem in the southern part of the country, particularly among adolescents. Understanding adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, prevention and care-seeking practices is important to inform more targeted interventions aimed at optimizing adolescents’ uptake of malaria prevention and control measures. This study assessed malaria-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among adolescents living in a highly persistent transmission area in Senegal. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 391 adolescents living in the Saraya health district. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select households. An electronic questionnaire developed on Open Data Kit (ODK), was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, household assets, adolescents’ knowledge of malaria, as well as their attitudes with regards to malaria prevention, and care-seeking behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with adolescents’ KAP towards malaria. Results Nearly, one-third of the participants had good knowledge of malaria (34.4%) and good practice in regards to malaria preventive measures (32.8%) while approximately three-quarters had a positive attitude (75.1%) and good care-seeking behavior (73.8%) regarding malaria. Multivariate analysis revealed that a primary (aOR=5.43, p=0.002) or secondary level of education (aOR=10.41, p=0.000) was associated with good knowledge of malaria transmission, signs, and prevention measures. Male individuals had lower knowledge compared to female ones (aOR=0.40, p=0.001). Individuals belonging to households from the fourth (aOR=0.29, p=0.015), second (OR=0.13, p=0.000), and lowest (aOR=0.18, p=0.001) wealth quintiles were less likely to have a positive attitude towards malaria compared to those from households in the highest wealth quintile. A positive attitude was two times more likely to be (aOR=2.32, p=0.011) associated with good practice of prevention measures compared to adolescents who demonstrated negative attitudes. Individuals from households in the fourth (aOR=0.40, p=0.018), middle (aOR=0.32, P=0.03), and second (aOR=0.44, p=0.035) wealth quintiles were less likely to use malaria prevention measures compared to those from households in the highest wealth quintile. Conclusion The study revealed that adolescents, generally have poor levels of malaria knowledge and low uptake of malaria prevention and control interventions. Targeted interventions for high-risk adolescents are needed, that focus on improving their knowledge of the disease and effective preventive measures, and on increasing their access to health care services and LLINs.

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