KNOWLEDGE AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MALARIA AMONG SECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN KASSALA, EASTERN SUDAN

This study reports the responses of high secondary school students and teachers to a questionnaire on their knowledge and misconceptions abo ut malaria. Knowledge about symptoms and cause of malaria seems to be adequate. However, there were deficiencies regarding knowledge of the seriousness of malaria in primigravidas and children. There was an exa ggerated belief that chloroquine may cause abortion. There were also i mportant misconceptions regarding the causation of malaria by the plan t Unkoleeb (sorghum saccharatum), the belief that the local beverage A radaib (Tramindus indica) cures malaria, as well as beliefs that chlor oquine injections are more effective than tablets, that intravenous fl uids are essential for treatment of every attack, and that multi-vitam ins may prevent the disease. The study throws light on areas where hea lth education should be focused.