KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF MALARIA DRUGS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE

KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF MALARIA DRUGS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

  • Background of the study

Since the beginning of time, Malaria prevention and treatment have constituted an unbeatable economic burden to most African countries, especially south of the Sahara where about 500 million cases occur annually. More than 20% of humanity is affected by Malaria. The human and economic costs associated with declining qualify of life,  consultation, treatments, hospitalization and other events related to Malaria are enormous and often lead to low productivity and lost incomes (Erhun, et al., 2005; Winch, et.al (1994).

In sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of the World’s Malaria occurs, about 500 million cases are recorded annually with hundreds of thousands of child deaths (Lalloo, 2006). In Nigeria, like in many West African countries, Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that over 50% of Nigerians suffer at least one bout of malaria every year (Afolabi, 2007; PC, 2006).

Among school adolescents, malaria is responsible for school absenteeism, poor performance in school, examination failures, school dropouts and even death (Winch, et.al, 1994). The problem of Malaria among adolescents has largely been over shadowed by the huge burden of HIV/AIDS among this younger age group. The younger age group has been identified as bearing half of the burden of HIV worldwide (Arowojolu, et.al 2002, Lalloo, 2006).

As much as 60% of school children’s learning may be impaired by Malaria, there is need to acquire full knowledge of its spread as well as drug usage so as to nib the tide in the bud (Booth, 2001; Dressa, 2000). Experiences with Malaria have shown that prevention is better than cure. However, the practice of Malaria preventive measures has been related to the knowledge and belief of people. Research survey revealed that there was an exaggerated belief that Chloroquine may cause abortion. There were also misconceptions regarding the causation of Malaria by the Plant unkoleeb (Sourghum Saccharatum), the belief that the local beverage Aradaib (Tramidus indica) cures Malaria, as well as beliefs that Chloroquine injections are more effective than tablets, that intravenous fluids are essential for treatment of every attack and that multi-vitamins may prevent the disease (Ekanem, et al, 1990; Dossou-Yovo, 2001; Dressa, 2000; Afolabi, 2007,Ugot, 2003; Klein, 1992; Salako, 1993).

The 1998 Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative launched in Geneva by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), is a people oriented programme that emphasizes community participation (WHO, 1998; 2000). School children could contribute immensely to its success. Malaria intervention goals in endemic areas should be to prevent mortality and reduce morbidity, as well as associated socio-economic losses. This requires the progressive creation of capacities of assessing the local malaria situation and selecting appropriate control measures. Correct knowledge of a health problem, when combined with the right attitude, can lead to healthy behaviour and practice (Achalu, 2001).

  • Statement of the problem

The problem of malaria among adolescents has largely been overshadowed by the huge burden of the disease among young children. Attention to malaria among adolescents has also been diverted by the huge burden of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Some surveys reveal lack of knowledge and many misconceptions about the transmission and treatment of malaria, which could adversely affect malaria control measures and antimalarial therapy. Such knowledge gap could have an adverse effect on school children, who could be used as change agents and as role models for their siblings and peers in the malaria control strategy.

  • Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study will be achieved through the following objectives:

  1. To find out Students’ knowledge of the causes of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  2. To find out Students’ knowledge of the symptoms of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  • To find out Students’ knowledge of the susceptible age groups to Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  1. To find out Students’ knowledge of Malaria Prevention and Control and their attitude towards the use of malaria drugs

 

1.4  Research Questions

  1. What is the relationship between Students’ knowledge of the causes of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  2. What is the relationship between Students’ knowledge of the symptoms of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  3. What is the relationship between Students’ knowledge of the susceptible age groups to Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  4. What is the relationship between Students’ knowledge of Malaria Prevention and Control and their attitude towards the use of malaria drugs.
    • Research Hypotheses

 

  1. There is no significant relationship between Students’ knowledge of the causes of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  2. There is no significant relationship between Students’ knowledge of the symptoms of Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  3. There is no significant relationship between Students’ knowledge of susceptible age groups to Malaria and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
  4. There is no significant relationship between Students’ knowledge of Malaria Prevention and Control and their attitude towards the use of Malaria drugs.
    • Significance of the study

In this study, the researcher hopes that the result of the findings shall be useful in the following ways:

It shall provide the teachers, Principals, Students and those in authority the knowledge and use of Malaria drugs, so as to nib the scourge in the bud.

It would enable educational planners to know the various changes to make in the educational system, thereby removing or reducing the effect of Malaria among school children.

It would enable teachers, parents and the community to avoid certain practices both in the educational system and in the community which would lead to the students being victims of Malaria parasites. 

  • Limitation of the study

There is no research study that is hitched free. Lots of problem may be encountered such as inadequate time span in completing the study, and financial constraints on transportation, photocopying may hinder the scope of coverage and availability of update materials.

1.8  Delimitation or scope of the study

There are many secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, but the study is limited to eight (8) secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area. This is because findings in these eight schools will reliably be generated to represent what is obtained in others.

 

1.9  Definitions of Operational Terms

Students:  These refer to individual studying at a particular school or college.

Knowledge: This refers to information and understanding gained by individual about a subject or an idea, which he had in his mind.

Malaria: This is a serious disease caught from mosquitoes and which causes periods of fever.

Drugs: These are chemical substances given to people to treat or prevent illness or disease.

Symptom: This is a sign of an illness indication abnormality of an individual’s health.

Susceptible: This refers to the quality of an individual being likely to be affected by a disease (malaria).

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