Effect of Health Education on Malaria Control Practices among Mothers of Under-Five Children in a Rural Nigerian Community

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Malaria is an established health challenge and a major cause of mortality and morbidity among under-five children in Nigeria. This community-based study was designed to assess the effect of health education packages on the malaria control practices of mothers of under-five children in Ibeagwa Nike Enugu State. Methods: The study utilized a quasi-experimental study design with a sample size of 124 mothers that attended the infant welfare clinic at the community health center and those that received treatment of minor childhood illnesses for six months. A multistage random sampling technique was used in choosing the required samples. The instrument for the collection of data was a self-adapted and validated questionnaire. Reliability was assessed and yielded a Cronbach’s correlation coefficient of 0.823. Data generated were summarized using simple descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages and analyzed using Fishers’ exact test and Chi-square. Results: Findings of the study showed that: the practice of malaria control practices was very low below 40% before health education intervention; malaria control practices increased significantly above 40% after the health education intervention; hindrances to the practice of malaria control measures reduced after the health education intervention; there is poor awareness of environmental hygiene as a method of malaria control measure before health education. Conclusion: Periodic health education on the importance of malaria control practices should be conducted in the community regularly, to promote control of malaria.