Papua New Guinea Journal of Science, Technology & Engineering

Ian Garbett, Jacob Kapo, Philip Kond, James Aua Lipu, Minat Lamowa, Thomas Tromba. 

Tinsley District Hospital, PO Box 1027, Mount Hagen 281, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Chi-Chi Obuaya, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK.

Abstract 

To assess local perceptions about malaria in a rural community in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, 152 adults resident in the Ruti Valley, Mul/Baiyer District, Western Highlands Province were interviewed at 3 different sites over 4 days in parallel with a malarial endemicity study. Most participants identified the potential mortality of the disease, use of anti-malarial medication and its peak times of transmission with rainfall variation. Significant proportions were unaware of how malaria was transmitted and its prevention with mosquito nets. There were unexpected beliefs about the role played by food in disease transmission and control. Rural communities that were surveyed generally have an adequate knowledge of malaria control. Potential for the introduction of participatory strategies has been revealed, given the communities current understanding, to enhance the implementation of planned mosquito net provision strategies and their sustainability in this and other malaria endemic areas in the future.