What is Endemicity

Malaria is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito and is a parasitic disease which is caused by the Plasmodium species. It is a serious communicable disease in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The most vulnerable group is children aged 0-5 years. Malaria is responsible for most outpatient visits, hospital admissions and the main cause of school and work absenteeism. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are essential for control programmes being the educational diagnosis and perception of a community about a disease which affects their attitudes and practices. This chapter reviews that the KAP of most communities in SSA have existing gaps which impacts on the control of malaria. A sound and adequate understanding of malaria and its proper recognition are crucial to its control. The inclusion of malaria education in a pupil's curriculum and effective information on the electronic and social media can change the misconceptions about malaria and correct attitudes and practices to intensify control efforts.