The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Utilisation of Malaria Preventive Measures among Long Distance Travellers at Maunyamo Harbour in Mongu, Western Province of Zambia. A Cross-Sectional Study

IntroductionMalaria is a significant public health concern in Zambia. Travelling is associated with exposure to different strains of malaria parasites whilst the use of preventive measures is not well documented among Zambia travellers. The Barotse flood plains in the upper Zambezi region with its swampy areas play a significant role in malaria transmission in the Western Province of Zambia. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with the utilisation of malaria preventive measures among long-distance travellers at Maunyamo harbour in Mongu district of Western Province. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study design which targeted long-distance travellers from the Barotse flood plains who come to Mongu the capital and central business hub of Western Province. A sample size of 171 participants was selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire with closed questions. Data was summarised using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, and cross-tabulations with comparisons using Chi-Square or Fishers Exact test. Further, associations between the outcome variable and dependent variables were tested using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. A P-value of 0.05 was significant. ResultsA total of 171 respondents were included in the study, males 50.9% (87/171) and females 49.1% (84/171) were equally represented. A majority 74% (126/171) of participants were aware of malaria preventive measures, however, few actually used the conventional preventive measures such as mosquito repellents (43%), ITNs (19%), IRS (12%), and mosquito coils (5%) while a sizable number used unconventional means such as cutting and burning shrubs (18%). Factors associated with the use of conventional preventive measures included awareness of mosquito repellents as a preventive measure aOR 1.97 (P value < 0.001), whilst the younger age group of 21 - 25 years aOR 0.21 (P value 0.022) were significantly associated with less use of preventive measures compared to those aged 26 years and older. Factors such as sex, education levels and duration in business were not statistically significant. ConclusionAwareness of malaria preventive measures among long-distance travellers was relatively high but utilisation was much lower indicating a mismatch between knowledge and utilisation. Awareness of specific preventive measures such as mosquito repellents was associated with a higher utilisation rate whilst the younger age group was associated with lower utilisation. Socioeconomic factors like sex, education and duration were not statistically significant.