Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Survey of Outdoor Malaria Transmission and Interventions in Zambia
Location: Zambia
Alumni: Amber Johnson
Faculty: Neil Lobo
In southern Zambia, malaria elimination and control strategies are seeing success. However, despite high bed net use and coverage, malaria cases are still reported. These communities spend significant time after nightfall in open-sided outdoor cooking shelters when mosquitoes are active, putting them at risk of transmission not prevented by indoor interventions and highlighting the need for outdoor protection. A survey was conducted in Macha, Southern Zambia to capture the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of local populations related to malaria, and how these influence intervention strategies and perceptions of transmission. Pictures of three insecticide-treated kitchen screening prototypes, fitted screens, curtains or barriers set around such structures, were shown to participants to determine acceptability. A semi-field system study evaluating the efficacy of these prototypes was also conducted. The screening types did not have a significant effect on disrupting transmission or delayed kill. Of the participants interviewed, 69.5% correctly reported a mosquito as the vector for malaria. Outdoor exposure is believed to be a problem by 73.9%. All participants believed screening kitchens would be beneficial, but only 63% could afford to purchase them. The fitted screens were the preferred prototype. In the future, if data suggesting such screening methods are significantly beneficial and are envisioned to tackle outdoor transmission, ways to reduce or subsidize their cost must be investigated.