Knowledge and perception of caregivers of febrile children with malaria at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia Nasarawa state, Nigeria

Objectives: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium and transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. This study determined the knowledge and perception of caregivers about malaria at a tertiary health facility in Lafia Nigeria. Material and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study carried out among caregivers of children aged 6 months to <15 years in Lafia Nigeria. Interviewer administered questionnaire was completed. Bivariate analysis was done. P < 0.05 is significant. Results: Most (66.9%) lived in rural locations. Almost half either had no formal education or primary school certificate only. About one quarter was unemployed. Almost all (92.6%) reported knowledge of fever as a symptom of malaria and 96.1% reported knowledge of mosquito bites as the cause of malaria. Conclusion: There is good awareness about malaria, it cause and some preventive strategies. However, more efforts are required in reaching out to those in the rural areas.