Assessment of knowledge about malaria among patients reported with fever: a hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Knowledge about malaria, attitude and health seeking behaviour of fever patients attending Medicine Out Patient Department at Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi were studied from June to August 2003. METHODS Cross-sectional survey comprising 200 fever cases was done with prestructured and pretested questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic profile, history of fever, health seeking behaviour, etc were recorded. RESULTS About 83% of fever cases did not approach the doctor even after three days of onset of fever symptom, 25.5% tried self medication and 20.5% approached chemists for treatment. Knowledge about causes and prevention of malaria was found to be inadequate in the study subjects. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Knowledge about malaria is poor even in persons residing in urban localities and proper health education is required for successful control of malaria. Information, education and communication activities are indicated to create awareness among the community.