Knowledge, attitude and practices of health workers on the efficacy and therapeutic failure using act in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in infants in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Abstract
Introduction: The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries with the highest malaria morbidity and mortality rates among children under five and pregnant women. Assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers is essential to guiding appropriate prevention and management of uncomplicated malaria in children.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in medical facilities in the city of Goma from January to March 2024. To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of participants, a descriptive cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered face-to-face to 421 participants. For the analytical results, bivariate analyses were performed, and a comparison of proportions was made using Pearson's Chi2 test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS version 25.0 for Windows, Illinois, USA.
Results: During this study, it was found that participants demonstrated good knowledge (89%), a negative attitude (67%), and poor practices (65%) regarding uncomplicated malaria. Chi2 analysis showed a significant association between participants' qualifications and good knowledge of the symptoms of uncomplicated malaria (p=0.033), good knowledge of recommended antimalarial drugs (p=0.000), and good knowledge of the duration of ACT treatment (p=0.002). There was a significant association between participants' years of experience and their knowledge of the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in newborns (0.030) and their knowledge of the recommended antimalarial drugs for uncomplicated malaria (0.000). A significant association between years of experience and frequency of recommending ACTs for uncomplicated malaria (p=0.004) and performing biological tests before treatment (0.012). A significant association between participants' qualifications and attitude towards malaria diagnosis (p=0.000), purchase of recommended antimalarial drugs (0.000), and performing thick smear tests before treating uncomplicated malaria.
There was also a significant association between the qualifications of participants and a high frequency of recommending other antimalarial drugs in cases of treatment failure with ACTs (0.018) and performing biological tests before administering treatment for uncomplicated malaria (0.000).
Conclusion: During this study, we found that healthcare professionals have a good knowledge of uncomplicated malaria. However, their attitude was negative and their practices were not good in relation to uncomplicated malaria.
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