Knowledge and Practice towards Prevention and Control of Malaria in Tepi Town, Sheka Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Background: Malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable mosquito borne illness which has been causing millions of deaths around the world, more than 90% of them being in Sub Saharan Africa. Even though much has been done to decrease this incidence, it still continues to be a disaster especially to the poor. Objective: To assess the knowledge, and practice towards prevention and control of malaria in Tepi town, Sheka zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was used and 249 samples were selected by systematic random sampling method. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the socio demographic characteristics, knowledge, and practice towards malaria prevention and control. The data was analyzed and presented using tables and figures. Result: The study reveals that all respondents had heard about malaria. Fever, headache and chills/rigor were the commonest symptoms mentioned by the community (88.8%), (75.5%) and (73.5%) respectively. Bed net (83.1%) and draining stagnant water (77.5%) were mentioned as a preventive method of malaria. Only 69.9% respondents use bed net and 62% drain stagnant water in their surroundings. Conclusion: The communities’ awareness on means of transmission and ways of prevention of malaria seems to be good. However, the bed net ownership and utilization was not as high as their knowledge. Concerned bodies are recommended to disseminate bed nets, treat old bed nets with insecticide.