Knowledge and management of malaria among non-medical Nigerian undergraduates

The present work investigated knowledge and management of malaria among non-medical students in two tertiary institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria, and aimed at evaluating the possible roles played by the human host in perpetuating the deadly disease, malaria, especially among those outside the health-sector.

Two tertiary institutions within Lagos metropolis were selected as study fields and a total population of 400 non-medical students was studied through random distribution of fixed-end and self-administered questionnaire.

The study showed that most of the informants did not know much about malaria, in terms of its transmission, symptoms, prevention, management, morbidity and mortality, which could explain the disappointments that have been suffered in the fight against the parasite and its carrier even in the face of highly efficacious anti-malarias, since such individuals would not be able to manage the disease adequately. Some of the correct responses were found to be significant when compared with the incorrect options. Lastly, drugs other than anti-malarials were employed to treat the disease and conversely, most fevers were thought by the students to be due to malaria.

The present work shows the massive gap in the knowledge of malaria between the health sector and other members of the society. If there must be any clue to the long-standing problems facing malaria therapy, it will come as a consequence of bridging the gap.