Community assessment for protection against the malaria in rural mewat

Abstract

Background: Malaria poses a great socioeconomic burden on humanity as it affects majority of countries in the tropical and subtropical regions. In 2016, approximately 445,000 deaths occurred due to malaria, which is comparable to the numbers (446,000) from the previous year. We conducted this study with an aim to assess the community-level preparedness for protection against malaria in population of rural Nuh, Haryana. Materials and Methods: Our study was community-based and cross-sectional in design conducted for a duration of 4 months in the six villages under the subcentre Sangail, with household as a sampling unit, and study subjects were selected by randomised multistage sampling technique. A pre-tested, pre-designed, standardised questionnaire (close-ended response) was developed for data collection. The association between variables was considered significant if the P < 0.05. Results: In our study, the nets were hanged for the use amongst more than half of insecticidal-treated nets (ITNs) user households (56.7%). Further detailed observation of ITNs reflected that the majority of subjects have obtained the ITNs either from mass campaign or health centres, and nearly one-third of household nets (37.2%) had holes them. In particular, head of households with the age group of 18–29 years, joint type of family and households with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to be using ITNs in the present study. Conclusion: To provide all age ranges with an equal level of protection against malaria in populations who reside in malaria-endemic areas, the current study has underlined the need for constant monitoring of ITN use, provision of ITNs and ongoing awareness regarding the use of ITNs.