Malaria is a vector borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is transmitted by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Until the late 19th Century, the contributory agent for malaria was largely unknown. Malaria is one of the commonest infections, disproportionately affecting children and pregnant women In 2019, an estimated 409,000 people died of malaria. Most (274,000) were young children, and 94% of the infections and deaths occurred in Africa. (WHO, 2019) Children under five years are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. Severe anaemia, hypoglycaemia and cerebral malaria are features of severe malaria more commonly seen in children than in adults. According to the WHO 2016 report, the global prevalence of malaria among under-five children was 16%. In the same year, the prevalence in Ethiopia was 0.6%. Malaria is the most widespread endemic disease in Cameroon, responsible for 2.7 million reported cases, and absenteeism from school and work annually. It continues to be a major public health problem and is the first cause of infant-child morbidity and mortality with a mortality rate in children under five, estimated at 40%. Much is being done to curb and eradicate malaria infection by the government, USAID and more.

1. TOPIC:
ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE GAPS IN MALARIA
MANGEMENT IN CHILDREN BELOW 5 YEARS: A CASE
STUDY OF THE BAFOUSSAM BAPTIST HOSPITAL
PRESENTED BY:
SEGHA ELKANA ACHOOH
MATRICULE:
KIU/HIHMATech/002/21/SHEC
SURPERVISOR
DR. SHEI CLAUDE NFOR (MD)
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

2. PLAN OF WORK
 Introduction
 Objectives
 Methodology
 Result/Discussion
 Conclusion
 Recommendation/Limitation
 References

3. INTRODUCTION 1/4
 Malaria is a vector borne infectious disease caused by
protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is
transmitted by an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Until the late 19th Century, the contributory agent for
malaria was largely unknown.
 Malaria is one of the commonest infections,
disproportionately affecting children and pregnant women.

4. INTRODUCTION 2/4
 In 2019, an estimated 409,000 people died of malaria. Most
(274,000) were young children, and 94% of the infections and
deaths occurred in Africa. (WHO, 2019)
 Children under five years are one of the most vulnerable groups
affected by malaria. Severe anaemia, hypoglycaemia and cerebral
malaria are features of severe malaria more commonly seen in
children than in adults.
 According to the WHO 2016 report, the global prevalence of
malaria among under-five children was 16%. In the same year, the
prevalence in Ethiopia was 0.6%.

5. INTRODUCTION 3/4
 Malaria is the most widespread endemic disease in
Cameroon, responsible for 2.7 million reported cases,
and absenteeism from school and work annually. It
continues to be a major public health problem and is
the first cause of infant-child morbidity and mortality
with a mortality rate in children under five, estimated
at 40%.
 Much is being done to curb and eradicate malaria
infection by the government, USAID and more.

6. INTRODUCTION 4/4
 The Government of Cameroon has made the fight
against malaria a priority, with a highlight in the
country’s Health Sector Strategy, and the adoption of
the High Burden High Impact stratification exercise in
the National Malaria Strategic Plan.
 This plan covers the period 2019–2023 and is the fifth
iteration of a national strategy
 In Bafoussam as well as other parts of Cameroon, it has
been observed that the prevalence of malaria in
children below 5 years still very high.

7. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 1/2
 General Objective: The main objective of the study
was to assess and understand the knowledge gaps in
the management of malaria in children below 5 years
of age in Bafoussam Baptist Hospital.
 Specific Objectives:
Assess socio-demographic characteristics of
respondents
Assess prevalence of malaria in children under 5 years
old at Bafoussam Baptist Hospital

8. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 2/2
 Assess knowledge and practice of malaria prevention
strategies
 Make recommendations

9. METHODOLOGY 1/3
 Study design: It was a purposive or convenient
sampling of children under five and their guardians in
the first stage, and the second stage was a random
sampling of children and guardians by balloting to
avoid bias.
 Study site: The study was conducted in Bafoussam,
Cameroon, specifically at Bafoussam Baptist Hospital.
This choice was due to the high prevalence of malaria
in children below 5 years.
 Period of study: The study lasted for two months
from February to March 2023.

10. METHODOLOGY 2/3
 Study population: The study population consisted of
children below 5 years old and their parents/guardians
who visited the hospital.
 Inclusion Criteria: All children and guardians who
visited the hospital during the study period, were
prescribed malaria test and gave their consent.
 Exclusion Criteria: children who were above the age
range and parents/guardians who didn’t give their
consent.

11. METHODOLOGY 2/3
 Sample Size: The researcher determined the sample
size of 225 randomly selected children under five years
of age and their guardians based on various factors,
including statistical considerations, available
resources, and the desired level of precision needed for
this study.
 Data Management: Questionnaires were
administered to the study participants, after the
responses from the questionnaires were assembled
and imputed into excel spread sheet. Analysis was
done using excel to obtain results in tables and
frequencies and percentages.

12. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Demographic Characteristics of the study population:
 In terms of age of children, according to this study, majority of
respondents (31.11%) were aged 37-48 months.
 Majority of respondents have completed secondary education (40%),
followed by tertiary education (38%).
 80% of respondents live in urban areas, while 20% live in rural areas.
 Overall, these percentages suggest that the study population is diverse
and representative of different backgrounds and experiences.

13. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Knowledge on causes of malaria:
90% of respondents have knowledge on the causes and modes of
transmission of malaria, while 10% had no knowledge about it.
 Knowledge on modes of control and prevention:
27% of respondents know that LLINs prevent malaria, 22% are
aware that keeping their environments clean prevents malaria,
21% are aware that wearing protective clothing prevents
mosquito bites, 13% can place nets on their windows and doors
while 4% know about insecticide sprays.

14. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Prevalence of malaria amongst children below 5
years in Bafoussam:
 225 children took part in the study, 98 (43.55%) males
and 127 (56.44%) females.
 104 (46.22%) tested positive for malaria
 of those who tested positive for malaria 44 (42.3%)
were males and 60 (57.7%) were females.
 This study shows that the prevalence of malaria in
children under 5 years old in Bafoussam was high.

15. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Knowledge gaps in the prevention, control and management of
malaria:
Factors such as
- Improper usage of LLINs,
- Not keeping environmental cleanliness,
- Staying outdoors late hours into the night,
- Misconceptions about malaria, IPT, LLINs, Poverty,
- The belief that malaria is part of life and is seen as normal and natural.
- The confidence some have in their ability to resist infections
- CHWs inadequate knowledge regarding the management of malaria.
- This suggests a great knowledge gap. These gaps provoke negative attitudes
towards the prevention, control and management of malaria.

16. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 The findings are consistent with those carried out by Bamou et al, (2022), Talipouo et al, (2019)
and NN Chi et al, 2023 who saw that the reasons for the high prevalence of malaria
- despite good knowledge of malaria, high possession and utilization of control measures by
population, transmission of malaria still persists.
- CHWs’ level of education should be greatly considered when selecting CHWs since more
educated CHWs were likely to carry out better practices when managing childhood malaria.
- This study's findings can guide healthcare professionals on the need for more training on
malaria related attitudes and practices in order to better prevent the infection.
- More sensitization needs to be done to improve adherence to good practices concerning
malaria prevention and treatment.

17. CONCLUSION
 The prevalence of malaria in children below 5 years in
Bafoussam Baptist Hospital was relatively high.
 The study found that there is a need for changes in
people's beliefs, attitudes and behaviours towards
using LLINs and indoor spraying with residual
insecticides, as well as seeking early, effective
diagnosis, treatment, vector control and personal
protection.
 There is need for education, public–private
partnerships, and community awareness.

18. RECOMMENDATIONS
 A well-planned, strategic document on education, information and communication be
drafted to use in education and information of the population on ways to prevent and
control malaria.
 It is hoped that this randomized study gives trends in Bafoussam that with further
studies/reviews could guide decision makers in issues surrounding knowledge gaps on
malaria. For further studies, larger-scale studies should be conducted to increase the
generalizability of the findings.
 Future studies can be taken deeper to cover many communities and why not at national
level to enhance how knowledge, attitude and practice differs and contributes to the fight
against malaria.
 Future studies may also be randomized prospective controlled trials and include many
more areas where trends of knowledge gaps in relation to malaria are compared with
those of the urban and rural areas.

19. THE END

20. Acknowledgement
 I sincerely appreciate all the staff of Kesmonds
International University, particularly my supervisor, Dr.
Shei Claude Nfor.
 Dr. Nfor Emmanuel of the CBCHS malaria control and
prevention program.
 My HOD Mr Ngala Emmanuel for his continuous
encouragement.
 My wife and children, for their push
 Everyone who assisted me, I am so grateful.
 Above all, I am grateful to God Almighty for life and health.

21. Some References
 A Manual for An Effective Education, Information And Communication On Malaria: Malaria Communication
Strategy, 2022. CBCHS MALARIA CONTROL AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
http://cbchealthservices.org/malaria-control-and-prevention
 Children and malaria: treating and protecting the most vulnerable: Medicines for Malaria Venture, January 2019
 Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding malaria control among communities living in the south Cameroon
forest region Roland Bamou 1 2 $, Timoléon Tchuinkam 1, Edmond Kopya 2 3 #, Parfait Awono-Ambene 2,
Flobert Njiokou 3, Joseph Mwangangi 4 5, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio 2 6
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.11.003
 Malaria prevention in the city of Yaoundé: knowledge and practices of urban dwellers Abdou Talipouo, Carmene
S. Ngadjeu, Patricia Doumbe-Belisse, Landre Djamouko-Djonkam, Nadege Sonhafouo-Chiana, Edmond Kopya,
Roland Bamou, Parfait Awono-Ambene, Sylvain Woromogo, Sevilor Kekeunou, Charles S. Wondji & Christophe
Antonio-Nkondji May 2019
 Malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among adolescents living in an area of persistent
transmission in Senegal: Results from a cross-sectional study Fassiatou Tairou 1, Saira Nawaz 2, Marc Christian
Tahita 3, Samantha Herrera 4, Babacar Faye 1, Roger C K Tine 1 2022 Dec 1;17(12):e0274656. doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0274656.