Awareness, attitudes, and control measures regarding malaria and mosquitoes in the North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant public health burden in Cameroon, with high prevalence in the North Region. The success of control strategies depends on community understanding and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards malaria and mosquitoes in the region. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 using structured questionnaires with 500 households across 50 randomly selected villages. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Malaria awareness was universal (100%), nearly all respondents (99.6%) correctly identified mosquito bites as the primary transmission route. However, a significant misconception persisted, with 42.4% also attributing transmission to cold weather. Mosquito net use was nearly universal (99.6%; 96.2% used one the previous night), yet 90.4% reported misusing nets for other purposes (tying animals: 35.8%; fishing: 7.4%). Thus, there was a contradiction between the high rate of ITN ownership and their widespread misuse. Self-medication was the most common first response to symptoms (43.2%), primarily due to the perceived high cost of hospital care (39.6%) and perceived staff carelessness (14.3%). Only 19.0% sought treatment within 24 h of symptom onset. Use of complementary vector control methods was low, and 17 plant species were documented for malaria treatment. While general knowledge is high, critical gaps and detrimental practices persist. The findings reveal a stark divergence between high net ownership and widespread misuse, coupled with suboptimal treatment-seeking behavior. This underscores the urgent need for targeted health education to correct misconceptions, promote proper net use, and encourage timely treatment to enhance malaria control efficacy in the region.