Unravelling the Perspectives of Day and Night Traders in Selected Markets within a Sub-Saharan African City with a Malaria Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey

Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo, Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie, Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu, John Ahenkorah, Emmanuel Afutu, Seth K. Amponsah, Mubarak Abdul-Rahman, James-Paul Kretchy, Janet Y. Ocloo, Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi, Akua K. Yalley, Oheneba C. K. Hagan, Benjamin P. Niriwa, Chukwuemeka C. Aghasili, Fleischer C. N. Kotey, Eric S. Donkor, Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi and Emilia Asuquo Udofia
Additional contact information
Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu: Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
John Ahenkorah: Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Emmanuel Afutu: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Seth K. Amponsah: Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Mubarak Abdul-Rahman: Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
James-Paul Kretchy: Department of Physician Assitantship Studies/Public Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Central University, Miotso P.O. Box DS 2305, Accra, Ghana
Janet Y. Ocloo: Department of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra P.O. Box 77 233, Ghana
Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana
Akua K. Yalley: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana
Oheneba C. K. Hagan: Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Benjamin P. Niriwa: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Chukwuemeka C. Aghasili: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Fleischer C. N. Kotey: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Eric S. Donkor: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana
Emilia Asuquo Udofia: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, Ghana

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: Background: Malaria is still endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with a high disease burden. Misconceptions about malaria contribute to poor attitudes and practices, further increasing the burden in endemic countries. Studies have examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of malaria among different populations. However, there seems to be no available literature reporting on the perspectives of day and night market traders. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on malaria KAP with a focus on day and night market traders. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving day and night market traders in 10 selected markets within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana was carried out. Data were collected from consenting respondents using a structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 760 respondents (33.3% ( n = 253) night and 66.7% ( n = 507) day traders) interviewed, there was no significant difference between the day and night market traders in terms of malaria KAP. Although the market traders had an overall moderate knowledge (54.0% of the day traders and 56.5% of the night traders), misconceptions about malaria (especially that it could be caused by exposure to the sun) still existed among the traders. Moreover, the majority of the traders who demonstrated high knowledge (43.98%, n = 250) did not always take laboratory tests to confirm their suspicion, indicating poor attitude. Furthermore, the market traders’ choice of drug for malaria treatment ( p = 0.001) and preferred malaria treatment type (orthodox or herbal) ( p = 0.005) were significantly associated with their knowledge level. Conclusions: Despite the observation that no significant difference in KAP exists between day and night market traders, appropriate health education programs and interventions still need to be directed at misconceptions, poor attitudes, and poor practices revealed by this study. This will ultimately help in the prevention and control of malaria in Ghana, and globally.

Keywords: perspectives; malaria; knowledge; attitude; practice; market; traders; day; night (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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