Knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions of children's mothers under five years of malaria in Tchatchou in 2012

Abstract

Background: In Benin, malaria is still a major problem of public health. The mothers constitute an essential link for the prevention and granting of benefits of malaria for children. Objective: studying the knowledge and the practices of mothers of children under five years in relation to malaria in Tchatchou in 2012. Results: 76.4% of mothers had an acceptable knowledge of malaria, but they do not protect their children enough. Also 91.5% of mothers refer to health center in case of serious symptoms of children's malaria. The use of self-medication is statistically different by the ethnicity of mothers (p=0.02). Conclusion: an educational program on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers on malaria is therefore essential with particular emphasis on the means of prevention.