The aim of this study was to describe mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interviews during data collection. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. Economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Sources of malaria information that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge included television (p=0.004), radio (p=o.005), and posters (p=o.00019). Treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). Treatment prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers’ education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). Recommendations were made to improve mothers’ malaria knowledge for further research / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The aim of this study was to describe mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding malaria in children under five years old. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interviews during data collection. The study population of this research composed of mothers of children under five years old suffering from malaria in Thyolo district. Economic-demographic characteristics that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge were age (p=0.018), formal education (p=0.001), income (p=0.005), and type of a house (p=0.002). Sources of malaria information that were significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge included television (p=0.004), radio (p=o.005), and posters (p=o.00019). Treatment-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with education (p=0.017). Treatment prior to hospitalisation was significantly associated with mothers’ education (p=0.0001), number of children that passed away (p=0.015), distance to the health facility (p=0.013), lack of money (p=0.019), and time taken at the hospital to get treatment (p=0.016). Recommendations were made to improve mothers’ malaria knowledge for further research / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)