AWARENESS OF MALARIA INFESTATION AMONG STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the awareness of malaria infestation among students in the University of Benin. Four research questions were raised and answered to guide the study. Important and pertinent literature were reviewed. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and the study population consisted of all the students in the University of Benin with a total of fifteen (15) faculties, and an estimated population of 47,468 students. A sample size of 100 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument adopted for data collection was a welldesigned structured questionnaire which was validated by the project Supervisor and two other lecturers from the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental education. The instrument's reliability was determined using the test-retest method. Descriptive statistical tools like frequency and percentage tables were used to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents are aware about malaria infestation as well as the causes of malaria infestation. The findings also revealed that the respondents had good awareness about the preventive measures against malaria infestation adequate preventive measures against malaria infestation existing among the respondents. It was thus recommended that health education on malaria infestation, it’s causes, prevention and treatment should form part of orientation lectures for all fresh students. Also health inclined departments around the institution in collaboration with the school management should provide billboards and posters with relevant information positioned at strategic places in the university as reminders on proper preventive health behaviours. And that stakeholders in health should endeavour to sponsor production of souvenirs with inscriptions about tips on malaria preventive behaviour written on them. Students residing in school halls of residence should be encouraged to make use of bed nets and spray insecticides which are essential preventive practices against malaria infestation. Also, students should be encouraged to engage in regular sanitation around their residence and be conscious about their personal hygiene and that of their surroundings daily.