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Table 3 Participants' practices in malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and prevention methods

From: Opportunities and obstacles to the elimination of malaria from Peninsular Malaysia: knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria among aboriginal and rural communities

 

population

 

Variables

Forest-aboriginal (n = 100)

n (%)

Rural (n = 123)

n (%)

χ2 significance

Treatment-seeking behaviour

   

   Use herbal remedies as first line activity

28 (28.0)

19 (15.4)

p < 0.05

   Witchcraft as a first line activity

13 (13.0)

0 (0.0)

p < 0.001

   Go to clinic as a first line activity (within 24 hrs of fever onset)

65 (65.0)

117 (95.1)

p < 0.001

   Take anti-malarial/antipyretic medicine

0 (0.0)

6 (4.9)

p < 0.05

Malaria prevention methods

   

   Use of mosquito bed nets

63 (63.0)

76 (61.8)

ns

   Keep the house/surroundings clean

30 (30.0)

46 (37.4)

ns

   Elimination of breeding sites

0 (0.0)

8 (6.5)

p < 0.001

   Use of insecticide/spraying

3 (3.0)

33 (26.8)

p < 0.001

   Fumigation by smoke

7 (7.0)

28 (22.8)

p < 0.01

   Use of anti-malarials

1 (1.0)

8 (6.5)

p < 0.05

   Use of medicinal plants

10 (10.0)

6 (4.9)

ns

   No knowledge

21 (21.0)

23 (18.7)

ns