Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Knowledge of Antimalarials and Health Seeking Behaviour of Households in Case of Suspected Malaria in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nsengi Yumva Ntamabyaliro
* ORCID logo ,
Christian Burri
ORCID logo ,
Yves Ntamba Lula
,
Daniel Isosho
,
Aline Biongo Engo
,
Mireille Amba Ngale
,
Jerry Yana Liwono
,
Eric Sompwe Mukomena
,
Gauthier Kahunu Mesia
,
Samuel Ma Miezi Mampunza
,
Gaston Lutete Tona
Version 1 : Received: 20 July 2021 / Approved: 21 July 2021 / Online: 21 July 2021 (11:51:26 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Ntamabyaliro, N.Y.; Burri, C.; Lula, Y.N.; Ishoso, D.; Engo, A.B.; Ngale, M.A.; Liwono, J.Y.; Mukomena, E.S.; Mesia, G.K.; Mampunza, S.M.; Tona, G.L. Knowledge of Antimalarials and Health Seeking Behaviour of Households in Case of Suspected Malaria in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2021, 6, 157. Ntamabyaliro, N.Y.; Burri, C.; Lula, Y.N.; Ishoso, D.; Engo, A.B.; Ngale, M.A.; Liwono, J.Y.; Mukomena, E.S.; Mesia, G.K.; Mampunza, S.M.; Tona, G.L. Knowledge of Antimalarials and Health Seeking Behaviour of Households in Case of Suspected Malaria in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2021, 6, 157.

Abstract

(1) Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is heavily affected by malaria despite availability of effective treatments. Ignorance and unrecommended behaviour toward a suspected malaria case in households may contribute to this problem. (2) Method: In communities of one rural and one urban Health Centers in each of the 11 previous provinces of DRC, all households with a case of malaria in the 15 days prior to the survey were selected. The patient or caregiver (responder) were interviewed. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of knowledge of recommended antimalarials and good behaviour in case of suspected malaria. (3) Results: 1,732 households participated; about 62% (1060/1721) of the responders were informed about antimalarials, 70.1% (742/1059) knew the recommended antimalarial and 58.6% (995/1699) resorted on self-medication. Predictors of knowledge of antimalarials were education to secondary school or university, information from media and smaller households. Predictors of good behaviour were catholic religion and smaller households. Receiving information from CHW failed to be determinants of knowledge or adequate attitude. (4) Conclusion: malaria control in DRC is hampered by ignorance and non-adherence to national recommendations. These aspects are influenced by unsuccessful communication, size of households and level of education.

Keywords

Households; antimalarial; Health seeking behaviour; malaria

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Immunology and Allergy

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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