Abstract:

Background: Young children accounted nearly 80% of malaria death, WHO recommended preventive chemotherapies for vulnerable populations including school children in moderate to high transmission areas. SMC is suggested for non-ill children, there is little evidence on appropriate drug regimen to be used and the acceptability of this strategy to key stakeholders who are parents. This study was conducted to determine malaria knowledge, attitude and acceptability of seasonal malaria chemoprevention to school aged children among parents and caregivers, aimed at controlling malaria.

Method: The study was conducted at Misungwi district in Mwanza, for one month from 22ndjune to 15thjuly 2023, a cross sectional study among parents and caregivers. Descriptive statistics were carried out to measure frequencies and percentages of the variables. Sample size was 384 randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaire.

Results: Among 384 respondents recruited, 224(58.3%) males and 160(41.7%) females. Knowledge of the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission (89.8%) and fever as symptom of malaria (71.9%) was observed to be high among the study population. Seeking hospital care for a febrile child (88%) and mosquito net possession (99%) was a good practice observed. Attitudes regarding the “best antimalarial therapy” was limited (90.1%) to Coartem/ ALU. Despite having high acceptability (87%), there is negative attitude towards SMC (%).

Conclusion: This study highlights a generally positive outlook regarding malaria knowledge, preventive measures, and attitudes. Despite negative attitude towards SMC, there is high acceptability of SMC. There is a need for targeted educational programs to attain desirable attitude and practices regarding malaria chemoprevention.