Prevalence of Select Vector Borne Diseases and Knowledge of the Preventive Measures: A Cross- Sectional Analytical Study in Communities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) its prevalence, attendant risk factors and effective control practice is a prerequisite for the containment of these disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence and knowledge of preventive measures against select VBDs among communities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted in Anambra State. Multistage sampling technique was used for subject selection. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured interviewer- administered, questionnaire. Data was exported from kobocollect into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 27. Descriptivestatistics were used to summarize data on socio-demographic variables. Tests of statistical significance were done using the Chi-square and Fisher tests for proportions as appropriate at p-value <0.05. Results: While 68.24% reported having malaria, rare rarely, 407(95.76%) reported awareness of malaria and 12 (292%), of LF respectively. The commonest sources of awareness include: health institutions, friends. The mean percentage knowledge of respondents about preventive measures against malaria and LF were 53.92±11.51 (fair) and 14.86±24.43 (poor) respectively. There were statistically significant associations between knowledge about malaria and LF with highest level of education attained (p=0.732; p=0.732) and occupation (p<0.001; p<0.01) respectively. Conclusions: This study reveals apparently high prevalence of malaria, good and poor levels of knowledge of preventive measures against malaria and LF respectively. There should be regular comprehensive health education programs on control of these diseases in health institutions and through peer education.