1.1 Background To The Study

Malaria is a mosquito born protozoan infection of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoa of genus Plasmodium (WHO, 2015).

Approximately, out of 3.4 billion people worldwide who are exposed annually, 1.2 billion are mainly children 0-5 years, and pregnant women. (WHO, 2013)

By 2009, malaria was one of devastating diseases killing more than 1 million people annually where pregnant women, children, and immune-compromised individuals had the highest morbidity and mortality, and Africa bearing the heaviest burden (Julianna and Nawal, 2009). Children and Pregnant women are 3 times more likely to suffer from severely as a result of malarial infection compared to their counterparts.

In malaria endemic areas, it is estimated that at least 25% of children under 5 years are infected with malaria, with the highest risk of infection and morbidity in neonates and infants. This being because, in high transmission areas, partial immunity is acquired at childhood. However, if this is does not happen, there is rapid progression of disease to severity and death among children being enhanced by severe anemia, hypoglycemia, cerebral malaria which are more commonly seen among children under five than their adult counterparts (WHO, 2014).

There are five species of malaria parasites which infect humans namely: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae and P. knowlesi (WHO, 2013). Of these, P. falciparum is the most virulent malaria parasite in Uganda (Bauer, 2015).

Among children, WHO recommended Insecticide-treated nets to be provided as early as possible to all households living in malaria endemic areas, epidemic and disaster situations and according to perceived need in the locality and be used throughout pregnancy to mothers, and postpartum to neonates and children (WHO, 2014).

1.2 Statement Of The Problem 

Malaria is endemic in over 95% areas of the country. According to a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has the world’s highest malaria incidence, with a rate of 478 cases per 1000 population per year (Bauer 2015).

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in nigeria and is responsible for up to 40% of all outpatient visits, 25% of all hospital admissions and 14% of all hospital deaths. The overall malaria-specific mortality is estimated to be between 70,000 and 100,000 child deaths annually in Uganda, a death toll that far exceeds that of HIV/AIDS (Bauer, 2015). It’s non selective in gender, yet children under-five years and pregnant mothers suffer its impacts than the rest of population. (Julianna and Nawal2009).

Unpublished medical records of Enugu health Centre (2016) indicated that approximately 15 malaria cases among under-five years children reported every week, equivalent to 720 cases that year.

There is no research found in Enugu Metropolis records about the problem, to assess how mothers prevent malaria, their knowledge and attitudes towards malaria prevention and control particularly in children under-five years through a number of researches, will give a basis for best interventions to lower down this endemic.

1.3 Objective of the study

The main objective of the study is to assess knowledge and utilization of malaria preventive measures among mothers with children 0-5 years. Specifically, the study aims; 

i. To examine knowledge among mothers with children 0-5 years attending child health clinic at child health clinic at Enugu Metropolis on malaria prevention and control.

ii. To assess attitude among mothers with children 0-5 years attending child health clinic at Enugu Metropolis on malaria prevention and control.

iii. To assess prevention practices among mothers with children 0-5 years attending child health clinic at Enugu Metropolis on malaria prevention and control.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What is the knowledge among mothers with children 0-5 years years children on malaria prevention and control!?

ii. What are the attitudes of mothers with children 0-5 years attending child health clinic at Enugu Metropolis, towards malaria prevention and control!?

iii. What are the malaria prevention practices carried out by mothers of <5years children attending child health clinic at Enugu Metropolis?

1.5 Significance of the study

In spite of the World Health Organization’s recommendations and strategies on Malaria prevention and control more so in children under 5 years, malaria continues to be a threat to the lives of children. However, studies done in various places have demonstrated that even in small locations as Districts or villages, there is a variation in the micro-epidemiology of malaria Brooker et al( 2004).This has attracted the government to extend preventive measures like supply of insecticide treated nets to these areas not paying attention to educate people on how malaria spread and the different practices to eradicate the occurrences.

Thus, for successful malaria control and prevention measures should be based on an understanding of the location, extent, of the disease as well as the knowledge and perception of care takers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is delimited in scope to the Determinants of utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in the management of malaria in Abraka Delta State, Nigeria. The researcher would chose this site because it is easily accessible and students are sent there for their clinical experiences and cases are referred from primary and secondary health facilities to the institution for expert management.

1.7 Limitation of the study

The following factors poses to be a limitation during the course of this research

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Alternative medicine: in this study alternative medicine include herbs, exercise, diet, prayer, massage, chiropractic that are used outside the main stream medicine (conventional, allopathic, orthodox)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): The use of various traditional methods in maintaining health other than conventional medicine and are used accordance to the culture, belief and custom of the individual.

Culture: In this context culture was identified as the way of life to a group of people who live in the same geographical ground. Characterized by the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual, emotional features and value systems traditions and beliefs in a society or social group.

Mental health: Mental health is the positive state of mental wellbeing. Mental health is associated with a positive thinking behaviour, discipline and psychosocial wellbeing.

Traditional Medicine (TM); Refers to knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different culture, used in the maintenance of health. Indicators of traditional medicine include; increased uptake, value of TM products used, increase in awareness/knowledge about TM, new research on TM products and customers, recognition and regulation about TM, advertisement TM.

1.9 Organization Of The Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.