Malaria in Namibia: a community study

Abstract

The researcher has identified several problems in the North West Health Directorate community of Namibia regarding malaria and malaria related deaths. Against this background the study was undertaken to: • Identify the attitude(s) of the community towards malaria. • Determine the community's knowledge of malaria. • Determine the prevention strategies the community employed to guard against malaria. • Make recommendations. Methodological triangulation was used to obtain data and the findings reflected the following: • Lack of knowledge about malaria, its causes, management and prevention due to lack of adequate health information. • Socio-cultural factors have an influence on the community's knowledge of malaria, their attitudes towards malaria and on strategies employed by the community to prevent malaria. Recommendations included provision of proper and adequate health information to the community by health workers, increasing community participation in order to enhance attitude change and co-ordination and collaboration between traditional healers and the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Keywords: malaria I community I prevention I knowledge I attitudes