Abstract:

Background and information: malaria remains an important cause of illness and deaths in children and adults. In 2016, malaria cases worldwide were 216M and deaths were 445,000 people. Despite the decline in prevalence, Tanzania malaria cases ranges from 10-12M with a great variation in the risk of transmission, prevalence ranging from 1-33% average being 10%.

Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study design was employed; data was collected through questionnaires in patient’s visiting local drugs stores in Nyamagana district. 384 participants were eligible to participate in the study.

Results: out of 384, males were 185 (48.2% )and females were 199 (51.8%), the average age of participants was 30 years, majority, 98.2% were aware of signs and symptoms of malaria, 99.7% were aware of the ways to protect ourselves and ways through which transmission occurs, 96.4% were of high risk groups. 64.6% visited the hospital as first action for suspected fever, 88.4% finished their does and took the medication at right frequency. 61.9% used ALU for treatment.

Discussion: there is considerable high awareness on the signs and symptoms. Awareness on the ways to protect ourselves was high. Pregnant women and children were identified as the highest risk groups. An infected mosquito bite was the commonest way of transmission.Visiting of a health Centre on suspected fever was commonest, good adherence to medication and self was observed and is consisted with various studies.

Conclusion: there is high awareness about uncomplicated malaria and antimalarial, adherence and self-medication needs to be addressed to improve malaria control programs.