ANALYTICAL STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION LEVEL IN THE PRE-VENTION OF MALARIA AMONG TEA GARDEN COMMUNITY PEOPLE OF ASSAM

Priyobrat Rajkhowa*

ABSTRACT

Background: Malaria is one of the major mosquito borne diseases in Assam. Due to its favourable geographical condition and heavy rainfall causes increase in mosquito breeding, The knowledge regarding malaria is important in adoption of preventive measures against malaria. The aim of the study was to assess the activities adopted by the tea community people in the control of malaria at personal level, level of education of the people and also to assess the level of knowledge regarding malaria among the tea garden community people. Methods: 300 tea garden com-munity people of age group 18 and above were covered in this study irrespective of the gender. A self-governed questionnaire was used to gather facts on malaria regarding its knowledge and practices. Result: Result have shown that knowledge regarding malaria among the community found to be adequate. 269 people out of 300 were aware of malaria which is 89.67%. Despite having adequate knowledge regarding malaria majority of the people have not taken any preventive measures for malaria, out of 269 members only 148 people practices malaria preventive measures which is 49.33% . In prevention of the disease level of education and the role of health workers seems to play an important role in disease prevention. Conclusion: There is a need of increase in malaria prevention prac-tices among these communities. Since malaria related morbidity among the community people tend to have more and that leads to loss of daily wages among the people. People are engaged in temporary prevention of the illness rather choosing permanent methods such as source reduction. Education and economic status of the community indirectly found to have an association with malaria.

Keywords: Malaria, Community, Prevention, Education, Practice.