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A Description of Malaria-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices in the Artibonite Valley of Haiti: Implications for Malaria Control

A two-stage cluster survey (n = 200 households) was conducted in the Artibonite Valley of Haiti during the high malaria transmission season in November–December 2006. Knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to malaria were obtained from household representatives using a standardized questionnaire. Blood drops were obtained on filter paper from all household members more than one month of age (n = 714). Determinants of malaria infections and correct malaria-related knowledge were assessed using logistic regression. Respondents in households with more assets were significantly more likely than those in households with fewer assets to have correct malaria-related knowledge. Respondents from households with at least one malaria infection were less likely to have correct malaria-related knowledge. Older children (5–9 years of age) were shown to be at increased risk of malaria infection. Results suggest malaria control in Haiti should focus on enhanced surveillance and case management, with expanded information campaigns about malaria prevention and treatment options.

Received June 27, 2007. Accepted for publication November 10, 2007.

Acknowledgments: We thank the communities that participated in this study for their cooperation; the data collectors, scientists, administration, and laboratory staff at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer for their collaboration and continued support of public health research; Don Krogstad for his advice, supervision, and use of his laboratory at the Department of Tropical Medicine at Tulane University for the PCR work; Chris Swalm (Tulane University) for his assistance in geo-processing the NDVI and elevation data; two anonymous reviewers whose comments greatly improved this manuscript; Olbeg Desinor (United States Agency for International Development/Haiti) for his support of this work; and the Haitian Ministry of Health for allowing us to conduct this research in Haiti.

Financial support: This study was supported in part by the United States Agency for International Development through a subcontract with Research Triangle Institute, and the Tulane University Research Enhancement Fund.

Disclaimer: The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policy of the United States Agency for International Development, Tulane University, or Hôpital Albert Schweitzer.

^* Address correspondence to Joseph Keating, Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112. E-mail: jkeating{at}tulane.edu

Authors’ addresses: Joseph Keating, Thomas P. Eisele, Adam Bennett, and Kate Macintyre, Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA, 70112, Telephone: 504-988-3655, Fax: 504-988-3653. Dawn Johnson, Community Development Division, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Deschapelles, Haiti.

Reprint requests: Joseph Keating, Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA, 70112, Telephone: 504-988-1458, Fax: 504-988-3653, E-mail: jkeating{at}tulane.edu.